IFJ.org - IFJ Global

IFJ Condemns Killing of Television Journalist in Uganda

IFJ.org — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:32:08 +0200

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has today condemned the killing of Amon Thembo Wa’ Mupaghasya, a director of Mupaghasya Community Television Centre in Uganda. “We are deeply shocked, and condemn in the strongest terms this cold blooded killing in the strongest terms,” said Gabriel Baglo, IFJ Africa Office Director. “We call on authorities to quickly investigate and bring the culprits to book.” According to the Uganda Journalists' Union (UJU), Mr. Amon Thembo Wa’ Mupaghasya ( 42) , director of Mupaghasya Community Television Centre in Kasese Town, Western Uganda, was killed by unidentified attackers on Saturday 12 May as he was returning home from work. The journalists' killers took his camera and equipment bag, UJU said. Police confirmed it had arrested suspects and investigations are underway.

IFJ Welcomes ACHPR Resolution on Safety and Protection of Journalists in Somalia

IFJ.org — Wed, 09 May 2012 20:00:41 +0200

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today welcomed the unanimous decision of the African Commission on Human and People's Rights (ACHPR) in adopting a landmark resolution, at its meeting of 2 May in Banjul, Gambia, on attacks targeting journalists in Somalia. Farhan James Abdulle was the latest journalist to be gunned down in Galkayo in central Somalia on the eve of World Press Freedom day. The resolution, which "condemns the continued killings of journalists" in Somalia, calls on "Somali authorities and all armed groups to end ongoing violations against journalists, media practitioners and media organisations". Somalia's media community is facing the worst onslaught in its history. Five journalists were murdered in Somalia since January 2012, and media houses attacked and some taken over.

World Press Freedom Day: in Europe Turkey Still in Focus

IFJ.org — Wed, 02 May 2012 18:07:46 +0200

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), the European group of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), has today marked World Press Freedom Day by focusing on the severe threats to press freedom in Europe, with a special focus on over 100 imprisoned journalists in Turkey . The EFJ also marked the day by calling for EU action to support the campaign for press freedom in Hungary. "Hungary has shown that the mobilisation of democratic forces can have some impact on the public, but our Hungarian colleagues still have a long way to go due to the unprecedented pressure of its government. Much more is needed to guarantee journalists' rights" said EFJ President Arne König.

IFJ Marks World Press Freedom Day by Calling for Release of Jailed Journalists

IFJ.org — Wed, 02 May 2012 16:28:04 +0200

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliates are marking this year's World Press Freedom Day by calling for the release of journalists held for their professional activities. The IFJ says that reform of criminal defamation law and anti-terror legislation is urgently needed as they account for the majority of reporters' detention cases. "We are witnessing unprecedented levels of criminal litigation against journalists in many countries," said IFJ President, Jim Boumelha. "This is one of the worst forms of censorship facing media and governments must repeal criminal defamation law and review the anti- terror laws which represent a major obstacle to genuine press freedom." Over 150 journalists are in currently in jail around the world, some of whom have been detained for years without trial. In China, over 20 journalists have been arrested as the authorities continue their attempts to control and censure independent reporting.

IFJ President's Message on 1 May 2012

IFJ.org — Tue, 01 May 2012 11:23:27 +0200

Dear brothers and sisters, Tomorrow, May 1st 2012, workers all over the world are celebrating the achievements of trade unions. Members of IFJ unions will join leaders and members of sister unions to uphold the spirit of May Day and express their hopes for the future. More than ever before, workers everywhere are confronting the same tremendous challenges of ballooning unemployment and precarious jobs, social exclusion and growing inequalities, in a context of aggressive globalisation and a brutal economic crisis particularly in Europe. Precarious jobs, which have become the only type of employment available to young people, are also spreading to other workers. We will not accept that they represent the future for our members. Over the longer term, we are headed towards widespread impoverishment that downgrades our societies both economically and politically. Our unions will continue fighting for quality jobs for their members to ensure a decent life for them and their families.

Governments Must Act for Sustainable and Equitable Recovery

IFJ.org — Wed, 02 May 2012 12:41:41 +0200

It is more than five years since the financial crisis hit, followed rapidly by a larger economic crisis. This economic earthquake exposed the dangers of financialisation; of having the real economy subservient to finance; and of two decades of growing inequality. The resulting shock added millions to the already teeming ranks of the jobless and threw millions more into precarious work. Many workers have lost good jobs and far too many have also lost the fundamental rights that went with them. Global financial markets, opened up by deregulation at national level, have not only produced the current economic crisis, but also the instability that has characterised economic development for the last 30 years, with periodic "bubbles" and crises. This has made it much more lucrative to make money from money than from the production of goods and services.

IFJ Urges Yemeni New Leader to Release Jailed Journalist over Alleged al Qaida Links

IFJ.org — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:15:12 +0200

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today urged the new Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi to release journalist AbdelHadi Al Shaye, who was pardoned by former President Ali Abdallah Saleh but is being kept behind bars to serve out his three year jail term at the behest of the US administration for alleged links with al Qaida. The Federation was reacting to recent promises made by President Hadi in a meeting with IFJ President Jim Boumelha, to act swiftly and turn the page of the painful episode for media in the country. "I reminded President Hadi of his government's responsibility to protect journalists and we welcome his commitment to press freedom," said Jim Boumelha following his meeting with the Yemeni leader which took place on 15 April. "We are now urging him to make good on his promises by ordering the release of AbdelHadi Al Shaye whose continued detention is a blatant denial of justice.

EFJ Focus April 2012

IFJ.org — Wed, 02 May 2012 14:18:20 +0200

IFJ Condemns Media Restrictions in Bahrain ahead of Controversial Grand Prix

IFJ.org — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:17:31 +0200

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today accused the authorities in Bahrain of deliberately obstructing the work of foreign reporters who sought to cover the anti-government protests ahead of the Formula One race which took place in the country yesterday. Bahrain denied visas to non-sport journalists and arrested those who were working in the country without journalists' visas. "This selective approach to media accreditation is arbitrary and totally unacceptable," said Jim Boumelha, IFJ President. "The authorities were only too happy to tout the return of the Grand Prix to Bahrain as a sign that the situation is normal. Yet, they deliberately set out to deny independent media to verify this claim on the ground." Reports say that a number of journalists were denied visas to enter the kingdom as the decision by Formula One to stage the race there sparked new anti-governments protests.

IFJ/EFJ Calls for Actions to End Unfair Contractual Practices

IFJ.org — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:45:03 +0200

SIGN UP TO THE PETITION NOW! To mark the International Copyright Day 2012 on 23 April, The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its regional group, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), join forces with songwriters, composers, film directors, screenwriters, illustrators, photographers and visual authors across Europe to launch a public campaign aiming to bring an end to the unfair contractual practices facing creators. "On this occasion, we recall the UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of the Artist (1980) and urge national governments and social partners to commit to the aim of the Recommendation in providing the necessary socio-economic safeguards to which journalists are entitled." says Jim Boumelha, IFJ President.