Editorial: IFJ Voice, July 2018

From Bordeaux to Tunis ! In 1954, during its Bordeaux Congress, the IFJ adopted a code of ethics for journalism based on the one prevailing at the time in France. That code had been written at the end of the First World War – now more than 100 years ago. This text, initiated by the founders of our organisation, especially Georges Bourdon, sought to provide an ethical discipline for the entire profession. According to Bourdon, the IFJ had to walk on its two feet: a union foot as well as an ethical one. Ninety two years later, that is still the case. Last May, the Executive Committee convening in Taipei (Taiwan) endorsed a proposal to create an “ethics” task force to review the IFJ’s code of ethics. The task force will report at the next meeting and its recommendations will be at the heart of discussions during the 30th World Congress in Tunis (7-11 June 2019). It is not about wiping out history, but rather about updating, rewriting and adding elements that were not considered essential back in 1954. Let us venture that the work of elected representatives will allow delegates in Tunis to leave the Congress with a global ethical charter, applicable in every country in the world. Anthony Bellanger IFJ General Secretary