Journalists’ unions in membership of the International Federation of Journalists from 12 countries across the Arab World and Iran have launched a comprehensive programme of work focused on safety, press freedom, ethics and improving working conditions following a three day conference in Casablanca 19/21st May.

“Journalists are standing up for solidarity and stronger union organisation across the region,” said Jim Boumelha, IFJ President. “This programme will create a powerful regional force to lead the struggle for journalists’ rights.”

Participants committed themselves to two IFJ key programmes – the Breaking the Chains press freedom campaign and the global Ethical Journalism Initiative.

Participants finalised the IFJ’s regional press freedom report which spotlights violations of journalists’ rights and calls for the release of imprisoned reporters and media staff. It was agreed to organise a regional day of solidarity with victimised journalists.

Participants welcomed the IFJ’s Ethical Journalism Initiative (EJI), which had been formally launched in Bali two weeks earlier, and agreed to organise an EJI conference to focus on the core values of journalism, accountability in journalism and the role of unions in promoting ethical standards. An organising committee has been established and there are plans to hold the conference before the end of the year in the United Arab Emirates.

Participants further endorsed a campaign to improve the labour rights and working conditions of journalists and to expand the ongoing programme of safety in the region.

They paid tribute to fallen colleagues, and, in particular, noted the assassination of Shihab Al-Tamimi, the former President of the Iraqi Journalists’ Union, who was shot after leaving his union offices in Baghdad in February.

The meeting also agreed
• To endorse the IFJ gender equality campaign
• To seek jointly with the Federation of Arab Journalists a meeting with the Arab League over controversial Broadcasting Guidelines issued in February
• To demand clearing of the journalist Al Khaiwani of all terrorist charges in the Yemen
• To demand an easing of visa regulations for journalists following the failure of the Iraqi Journalists’ Union delegates to attend.

The meeting issued further statements on the following:
• Arab League Broadcasting Guidelines
• Ban on Alwan Newspaper (Sudan)
• Violence against journalists (Somalia)
• Imprisoned journalist Slim Boukhdir (Tunisia)
• Imprisoned journalist Mostapha Hurmatallah (Morocco)

The meeting included IFJ affiliated unions from Morocco, Algeria, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq (Kurdistan Journalists’ Syndicate), Kuwait, Palestine, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and the Yemen. The Association of Libyan Journalists, a non-IFJ affiliate, also participated.

The meeting concluded by opening a debate about the formation of a regional organisation within the IFJ.

“Affiliation to the IFJ in this region continues to increase and will soon reach 16 affiliated unions and associations,” said Boumelha “Soon it will grow into one of the strongest regions within the IFJ.”

Casablanca regional meeting conclusions 

For more information contact the IFJ at +32 2 235 2207
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries worldwide

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