Palestine was the first country in the region to sign the IFJ-led Declaration of Media Freedom in the Arab World in 2016, aimed at strengthening the principles of media freedom, independent journalism and the right to information. 

Under the new agreement, the Association of Private Radios in Palestine has ratified its commitment to press freedom and the protection of journalists' social and professional rights, which it says “are intertwined”. 

The text encompasses the right of journalists to work in a safe environment, free from harassment and violence, and obliges media employers to take measures to guarantee the safety of their staff in line with the ILO Convention 190. It also sets out the commitment to gender equality and non-discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity, race or religion. 

Among other items, the framework agreement regulates salaries and allowances, career development, working hours, holidays, sick leave and maternity leave, and employer’s social contributions and coverage. 

PJS President Nasser Abu Baker declared: “This agreement ensures that media institutions commit to essential principles for the exercise of independent journalism, such as press freedom and the protection of journalists’ social, economic and professional rights, among others”.

“It represents a step forward to start a process of collective bargaining to reach a union agreement that serves journalists,” he added. 

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger welcomed the deal. “This is a landmark agreement, which lays the foundations for the exercise of independent journalism and protects journalists’ professional rights. It is particularly relevant as it acknowledges the right of journalists to organise and participate in union activities, as well as establishment of PJS’s union committees in radio stations and recognises its leaders as representatives of media workers”.