We
the representatives of journalists' unions in 30 countries of the Mediterranean
meeting in Cagliari from May7-9, having considered the economic, political and
social crisis facing journalists across the region,
Deploring violence
against media, pressure on journalists from unscrupulous governments, politicians
and extremists, and the neglect of media organisations all of which is creating
an atmosphere in which self-censorship is growing;
Believing that
professional and independent journalism, exercised in conditions of non-discrimination
and respect for core labour standards, is vital to defend citizens right to
know,
Condemning all attacks
on journalists by governments who use forms of legal intimidation and other improper
pressure to manipulate the work of media;
Condemning the
savage cuts in editorial departments and the violations of journalists' rights
at work by media employers who in the face of a business crisis have abandoned
the mission, ethics and values of journalism,
Declare
That
the journalists of the Mediterranean will work together to rebuild public trust
in journalism and to create new forms of dialogue and solidarity. In
particular, the meeting rejects the politics of division, manipulation and
intolerance and agrees to a programme of action in the following areas:
Journalism
for Diversity and Tolerance
Supporting the role
of journalists in building democratic societies and promoting peace,
reconciliation and sustainable development,
·
The meeting agrees to promote the professional
status of journalists and to support ethical and professional standards in
journalism in line with the Ethical Journalism Initiative of the IFJ;
·
The meeting agrees to support participation by
Mediterranean unions in the creation of a European Network for Diversity in
Journalism to combat racism, and to raise awareness of the need for media
to reflect all opinions in society, including minority voices.
Safety
of Journalists:
Recognising that the
safety and protection of journalists and media staff is paramount for press
freedom and democracy
·
The meeting calls for the development of a
Mediterranean programme for the safety of journalists to provide information,
training and materials to reduce the risks facing journalists in conflict zones
·
The meeting deplores the imposition of restriction
to freedom of movement in certain territories of the region as well as unjustified
and harsh visa restrictions and calls for the creation of fast-track procedures
to allow journalists to travel across borders for their work without
interference;
·
The meeting calls all
governments of the region to recognise and respect the IFJ International press
card and guarantee freedom of mouvement to the holders of this card.
·
The meeting calls on states within the
Mediterranean area and in conflict zones bordering the region to meet their
obligations under United Nations Resolution 1738 to protect journalists and
media staff working in areas of conflict;
Building
Trust Through Dialogue:
Believing that dialogue
is key to creating a culture of unity and solidarity within journalism and
among unions of journalists, in defence of professional and trade union rights,
and is also essential to resolving conflicts in the Mediterranean region,
·
The meeting calls on journalists' groups in
membership of the IFJ to work together, to avoid politically-motivated
confrontation and to promote dialogue and joint actions to confront common
threats to the rights of their members;
·
We note that the Mediterranean basin is still
an area of tensions and conflicts, in particular in the countries of the Middle
East (Israel and Palestine), and regret the use of information as instrument,
while its role is to contribute to understanding between people and respect of
human dignity and human rights.
The conference formulates a wish for the new
Union for the Mediterranean to resume the Barcelona process with more dynamism,
so that the south Mediterranean countries can benefit of the partnership policy
- in particular in the field of information -which is far from having achieved
its objectives.
·
The meeting calls for
solidarity with journalists victims of the economic crisis and emphasises the
role of unions to stand together against job cuts and
precarity in the region.
·
The meeting welcomes the invitation of the
Mayor of Cagliari, supported by the Sardinian Regional authority and the
journalists of Sardinia to consider establishing a centre to promote dialogue
among media professionals of the Mediterranean region and asks the IFJ and the
FNSI to follow up this proposal;
·
The meeting calls on the IFJ to work with
organisations of journalists in the region, including the EFJ and the
Federation of Arab Journalists, to find new forms of dialogue at all levels to
promote mutual understanding among journalists working in areas of conflict and
political division;
Finally,
the meeting extends its thanks to the FNSI and the Sardinian Association of
Journalists for their solidarity in organising this meeting.
Cagliari, May 9th 2010
