The International Federation of Journalists
(IFJ) today backed the call by its affiliate in Brazil, the National Federation
of Journalists (FENAJ) for the restoration of the requirements for professional
qualification in order to practice journalism. FENAJ marked the Brazilian
Journalists Day yesterday by reiterating its support for proposals for
constitutional amendments (PECs) before the National Congress, which restore journalism
training and diploma for aspiring journalists.
"We support these demands which are in the best
interests of the profession and journalists," said Jim Boumelha, IFJ President.
"The professional qualification brings young talents to the industry and
protects journalists from employers more interested in dumping down on
standards and working conditions than on expanding access to journalism."
FENAJ has been waging a campaign to defend the
labour law in Brazil which for thirty years has made the journalism diploma a
requirement to work as journalist. The campaign followed the decision by the
supreme court which ruled in 2009 that the requirement was a restriction to
freedom of expression and therefore unconstitutional.
The IFJ supports FENAJ campaign, saying that
professional journalism, as a public good, carries higher duties than the freedom
of expression in the general and failure to discharge them can erode the public
trust in media.
"Journalists have to be truthful, impartial and
accountable for their reporting," said Elisabeth Costa, IFJ General Secretary
and former President of FENAJ. "The public look to professional journalists for
credible and objective information. We would fail them if we deny training to
journalists."
On the Brazilian Journalists Day, FENAJ issued a
manifesto to the nation in which it reaffirmed its commitment to freedom of
expression and called for the support of the Brazilian society for the
restoration of the requirement of the journalism diploma for the professional
practice and the creation of the Federal Council of Journalists (JTC), a body
that will ensure self-regulation of the profession.
For
more information, please contact IFJ on + 32 2 235 22 07
The IFJ represents more than
600.000 members in 125 countries
