The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its European Group, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) are holding an international conference to mark the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington to take place this weekend of 10/11 September 2011. The focus of the conference entitled ‘Journalism in the shadow of anti-terror laws' will be on the legacy of the terrorist attacks in America on the practice of journalism.

 "Journalists have witnessed a decade of steady erosion of their rights across the globe in the face of governments' ruthless drive to defeat terrorism," said Jim Boumelha, IFJ President. "Time has come to reverse the tide of legal and official intimidation of journalists and attacks on civil liberties that has followed the events of 2001."

The IFJ says many journalists have been targeted by terrorists for their reporting as well as falling victims to military attacks as part of the War on Terror.  At the same time, the anti- terror legislation introduced since September 2001 carries severe restrictions on journalists' work, says the Federation.

"This conference provides an opportunity to scrutinise the frequent claim that current anti-terror laws are designed to protect people's way of life," said Arne König, EFJ President. "This cannot be sustained when journalists face unprecedented attacks on their freedom from undue interference and the right to protect the confidentiality of their sources is threatened."

An impressive line-up of prominent speakers scheduled to speak at the conference include Jim Boumelha, IFJ President, Dunja Mijatovic, OSCE High Representative on Freedom of Media, Hervé Ghesquière, journalist and former  hostage in Afghanistan, Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland, Giles De Kerschove, EU Counter Terrorism Coordinator and John Nichols, journalist and author.

There will also be panel debates with leading international media specialists, UN rapporteurs, journalists and EU decision- makers on the impact of anti-terror legislation on civil liberties around the world.

For more information, please visit Journalism in the Shadow of Terror Law, a special webpage dedicated to providing updated information on the conference.

OR  contact:

Ernest Sagaga (ernest.sagaga@ifj.org) on + 32 2 235 2207) or Yuk Lan Wong (yuklan.wong@ifj.org) on + 32 2 235 2226)

The IFJ represents more than 600.000 journalists in 131 countries

The EFJ represents more than 250.000 members in over 30 countries