The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is organising in Casablanca, Morocco, from 12 to 14 April a regional meeting to discuss an agenda for media reforms in the Arab World and the Middle East in the wake of recent protests for political changes in the region.

"This regional conference is as important as timely given the wind of change which is sweeping through region and its potential impact on the future of journalism," said Jim Boumelha, IFJ President who is attending the meeting. "Press freedom has to be part of the reforms and journalists and their unions need to make their voice heard in the debate for change."

The conference entitled ‘ Wind of Change: Setting the agenda for Media Reforms' will discuss a wide range of challenges facing media in the region, including safety of journalists, press freedom and political pressure on media, debate on reforming media laws, the role of unions in the public debate on democratization and reform , censorship, freedom of information protection of sources, public interest, Self-Regulation/Press councils, ethical media/Role of unions and journalists and investigative journalism.

The IFJ says the meeting offers an opportunity to affiliates in the region to share experiences in addressing these challenges and agree on the strategies to ensure that regional political reforms process benefits journalism.

"Journalism is at the crossroads in the Arab World and the Middle East," said Elisabeth Costa, IFJ General Secretary who will also address the meeting. "Journalists have to be ready to seize the opportunity to champion the vision that the public on the street is calling for: democracy, rule of law and accountability in public affairs."

The conference will also host many senior IFJ officials, including the Senior Vice President Younes M'jahed, Vice President Olivier Da Lage and Treasurer Wolfgang Mayer. Other participants will come from the following countries: Algeria, Bahrein, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Oman, palestine, Qatar, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen

For more information contact the IFJ at   : +32 472587690

The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 131countries worldwide