Middle East & Arab world

The IFJ Middle East and Arab World office supports 20 affiliated unions and associations in the region.

To defend and advance journalists' social and professional rights, it has established a close cooperation with key regional organizations, in particular with the Federation of Arab Journalists (FAJ).

In the decade up to 2017 more journalists lost their lives in this region than in any other in the world, making it the most dangerous for professional journalists. This put vocational safety and the fight against impunity at the top of the IFJ's working programme in the region, resulting in a long-term regional campaign and a wide-ranging training programme to promote a culture of safety in the media. The IFJ and its affiliates in the region continue to fight the battle for the right of journalists in the region to operate in a safe environment.

Press freedom and editorial independence are equally important issues. In this context, the IFJ spearheads a large coalition including member unions, media, national human rights institutions and civil society groups and regional and international organizations, to accelerate the pace of media reform and foster independent and quality journalism, through the adoption by countries in the region of the Declaration of Media Freedom in the Arab World

The IFJ’s working programme in the region covers six key areas:

  • Solidarity during conflicts
  • Trade union building and development
  • Gender equality in the media and in trade unions
  • Media ethics and self-regulation
  • Reform of public service media
  • Professional training