IFJ World Congress 2010 

 

 

Go to IFJ World Congress 2010 Blog

This is an historic moment for the world of media and journalism. At the start of a new decade, and one filled with the promise and uncertainty of change, the IFJ World Congress in Cadiz, Spain, will set out the IFJ’s vision for the future of journalism.

 

The Congress will be held at the end of May. Among the key debates at the Congress, from May 25-28th May, will be discussion on how the work of journalists is changing and how unions plan to recruit and organise the new media workforce.

 

There will be focus, as usual, on the crisis of news safety and labour rights, but also how we reinforce the professional and ethical strength of journalism at a time when media employers and others are guilty of lowering standards.

 

With traditional media models broken and a need for innovation in funding journalism of the future, delegates will look to the ideas from the IFJ’s report on discussion of the future to develop the policies that will meet the challenges and opportunities provided by media convergence in the information age.

 

The Congress will involve a lot of talk – but action will be on the agenda, particularly aimed at protecting the social and professional conditions of journalists. One clear challenge will be to ensure that the new world of journalism brings media closer than ever to the citizens.

 

This page is your door to the Congress debate. It will provide information on the Congress organisation, the motions that will be discussed, the key issues covering employment, ethics, and union rights, and all the opinions and ideas that will be tossed into the forum for debate.

 

The Congress debate provides an opportunity to develop the arguments and ideas that can provide signposts for a future for journalism that is safe, professional and rewarding. The debate is open to you all and I have set up the  IFJ Congress Blog where we can all join the debate. We look forward to hearing from you.

 

One key question is how journalists’ unions will organise the new media workforce. In his opening contribution to the debate, newly-appointed IFJ Honorary Treasurer Mogens Blicher Bjerregård argues for a new approach from IFJ unions.

 

Aidan White

IFJ General Secretary

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