FIP IFJ IJF International Federation of Journalists Journalism 2000: New Perspectives Z 8181 of the XXIII IFJ World Congress Recife May 3-7, 1998 IFJ Executive Committee Members 1998-2001 President Senior Vice President Chris Warren Gustl Glattfelder Vice President Linda Foley Vice President Francisco Sant'Anna Honorary Treasurer Hans Verploeg Advisers Kabral Blay- Amihere Ghana Jim Boumelha United Kingdom Mario Guastoni France Farhana Ismail South Africa Chantale Larouche Canada Seh- Yong Lee Korea Hashhuu Naranjargal Mongolia Gregorio Salazar Osvaldo Miguel Urriolabeitia Argentina Yoshitane Okuda Japan Juan Antonio Prieto Spain Jagoda Vukusic Croatia Tony Wilton New Zealand Soren Wormslev Denmark M'Jahed Younouss Morocco Venezuela General Secretary Aidan White Report of the XXIII IFJ World Congress. Report of the XXIII IFJ World Congress Journalism 2000: New Perspectives Recife, May 3-7, 1998 Preface THE XXXIII IFJ WORLD CONGRESS was the first to be held south of the equator and it marked an important moment of transition in the Federation's 72- year history. During the Congress membership topped 100 countries and amendments to the Constitution brought the vision of the IFJ's founders into a context which prepares the Federation for work in the next century. Congress agreed to place the defence of democracy and fundamental human rights firmly within the scope of IFJ work. This confirms the importance of IFJ campaigns in defence of journalists' rights over recent years and provided a fitting backdrop to the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which is celebrated in 1998. Governments which try to manipulate media are under greater pressure than ever: they cannot hide violations of journalists' rights any longer. An unprecedented network of international solidarity exists to challenge political tyrants wherever they may be. But new and more subtle threats to journalism are emerging. The impact of globalisation, media convergence and commercial pressure on standards of journalism was dis cussed in some detail at Congress and strategies to combat these problems were agreed. The Congress warned that media organisations, publishers and politicians who believe that free market principles alone should prevail in the new media landscape are undermining democracy and traditional principles of plurality, quality and professionalism in journalism. The challenges of technological change and new employment patterns are also clearly in focus in the years to come. Social inequality and the divisions between information- rich societies and those starved of technical and economic conditions which allow journalism to flourish remain at the top of the IFJ agenda. Today no journalists' union sits comfortably in the whirlwind of change which is blowing through the world's media, but delegates from almost 80 countries outlined in vivid terms the ever- widening gulf between journalists in the developed world and those who struggle to perform under difficult social and political conditions in many other regions and committed themselves to a programme of solidarity through professional assistance and trade union development. 1 FJ Exe Report of the XXIII IFJ World Congress The Federation is to make changes in its organisation of work to make a more effective and practical contribution to media development programmes and trade union solidarity. odbta пoдея 199 Os mailsmuot i9q2199 weИ The challenge to the IFJ is to make a practical contribution to alleviating poor conditions for journalists. The promotion of trade union solidarity in defence of decent working conditions and high standards of journalism remains the key objective of the Federation. This report gives a brief summary of the debates held at Congress. It contains the full text of the new IFJ Constitution and the text of all resolutions adopted. These provide the framework for the Federation working programme over the coming years. The Congress also changed the guard in the political leadership, electing seven new faces on to the Executive Committee and strengthening its internal structures. Leaving Recife, where the Congress took place in the context of the largest- ever journalism festival held in Brazil, the IFJ is well- placed to confront the difficulties and uncertainties of the coming years. There may be a bumpy ride ahead, but international solidarity among journalists is stronger than ever. seer- yoM stp9 b9 to Aidan White General Secretary Я Report of the XXIII IFJ World Congress Jens Linde, IFJ- President Opening Address Recife, Brasil, May 3.- 7 M Jens Linde. WELCOME TO THE 23RD WORLD CONGRESS of the International Federation of Journalists. Welcome to Brazil and to Recife. We have here an extraordinary Brazilian experience- a truly wonderful mix of tradition and politics and culture with all of the mix of Spanish- Portuguese- LatinAmerican flavours that makes for a very special inauguration. The opening shows us what a complex and inspirational quality exists within Brazil, a huge nation of diversity and with a vigorous community of journalists and would- be journalists among them. We come together from all parts of the mu world and many of us are frequent travellers as part of our work. We are curious people. And we work always with our eye wide open- just as expressed in the logo of this congress, which is taken from the monument we unveiled yesterday as part of the World Press Freedom Day. But for too many powerful people across the world, our work is a nuisance and journalism is an inconvenience to their political objectives. When they hold too much power these groups and individuals will be ruthless in their efforts to muzzle journalists and to manipulate the media. They may use subtle methods of pressure which encourage self- censorship withinamda media, or they may be brutal, often violent, in their determination to suppress freedom of expression and independent journalism. Two years after signing the Dayton- accord in Paris to stop the bloody civil war in exYugoslavia, we still see the urge to control media expressed at the political high tables in Zagreb and Belgrade where political objectives dominate. And economic troubles bring their own problems for journalists. The recent financial crisis in Asia has exposed widespread corruption and nepotism and a culture of secrecy in which governments are not held properly accountable. As a result the economic whirlwind overtakes the whole of society without warning, media suffer and journalism proves to have failed the test of its role as an effective guardian of public and democratic interests. This is why the IFJ strongly protests when media and journalists come under the undue influence of both political and financial power. Today the world is struggling to eradicate the evils of poverty and want and to create minimum levels of economic and social conditions which can be enjoyed by all. But can these objectives be achieved without denial of fundamental rights to all the people? This 23 Report of the XXIII IFJ World Congress is a question which arises again and again when addressing the question of economic development, human rights and press freedom in the Peoples Republic of China. We have to ask whether democracies of the West, in the United States and Europe, have got their priorities right when they turn their gaze away from the abuse of journalists' rights and the denial of free expression in order to promote trade relations. Our members in Hong Kong have long felt the pressure to conform to an ideology which denies them the professionalism and objective standards of human rights. That pressure has increased now that Hong Kong is once more restored to the territory of China, and we welcome this link that at last the IFJ has established with China, even though on the ever growing list of IFJ- affiliates you will not find any from China because until now the Communist leadership does not accept international standards of the right to organise and the right to journalistic independence from the state. So progress is being made, and even more so when I can use this occasion to welcome Taiwan journalists into the IFJ. The Executive Committee made their association full member yesterday. To them I would like to say, dear colleagues, we are really pleased and honoured to have you and your members within the family of the IFJ. But not only you. The IFJ looks forward to the day when the regime of Beijing- and those in Hanoi and Havana- realise that one- party- rule has had its day and that democratic pluralism and defence of fundamental human rights are the context in which all of us, all journalists and all political forces, live and work. The new Prime Minister of the Peoples Republic China, Mr. Zhu Rongji, has been put in charge of the tremendous task to ob restructure the country with a population of 1,2 billion into a modern state. My message to Mr. Zhu Rongji is: if your efforts are to succeed, Mr. Prime Minister, you must embrace freedom of information, freedom of speech and press freedom. How can civil society prosper and the tensions between those in work and those who are unemployed be resolved unless people are told the truth about the reality of their? How can political progress ensue if there are no reliable sources of information to prove conditions are changing for the better? How can you pick flowers, without watering the seeds and ensuring sun to the plants, Mr. Prime Minister? Journalists have an interest in changing the mind- set of the political world, and no more so in our aim to focus on how journalists themselves are among the first victims when democracy is under attack. Since the last IFJ Congress in Santander more than 160 colleagues have died while carrying out their profession. The crisis in Algeria is an abominable stain on the fabric of modern journalism with more than a quarter of killed journalists coming from that country alone. No matter how appalling it has been, the IFJ has tried to make a positive contribution to solidarity with our Algerian colleagues. During the last three years we have had an office in Algiers during the most difficult circumstances one can imagine and we have been fully engaged in two fields: Firstly in reporting from Algeria to the rest of the world on conditions for the media and the professionals. Secondly in showing solidarity to our colleagues in Algeria by being present and confronting the constant threats. I like to take this opportunity to express the gratitude and admiration from the IFJ to the colleagues of the Algerian office, who have shown outstanding courage and extreme commitment to fulfil the aims of the project. Even though our statistics show less journalists killed in the rest of the world per year compared to the early 90s, there is no need to slow down our safety for journalists activ Report of the XXIII IFJ World Congress. ity. There may be fewer wars- as in exYugoslavia and Central Africa- but we witness the perils for journalists of investigating increasing criminal activity. Mafia rings all around the former Soviet Union as well as the drug cartels of Latin America target journalists who come too close to their activities. We face great threats from corruption at all levels, in business, in politics, in the shady world of deal- making. Safety courses for journalists help journalists to minimise risks during dangerous assignments and the IFJ Safety Fund, established six years ago, provides humanitarian and legal assistance to journalists in need. I don't think I can stress the importance of this fund enough. And if I fail, the colleagues who have received assistance can do so in a very convincing manner. I wish to sincerely thank the unions and their members who have contributed financially to the IFJ Safety Fund. But more needs to be done, not least to inform union members about the Fund and what it is about. We want this Fund to be built not from Union funds, but from the contributions of journalists who are ready to give up the price of a movie or a round of drinks and to chip into the campaign to raise a world- wide assistance fund which will provide a refuge for journalists most in need. Every journalist can afford to give something, but they all need to know about it first. Here in Latin America it is impossible to talk about safety of journalists without mentioning conditions of violence, terror and bloodshed that surround much of the political and social scene. Recent statistics on the topic constitutes depressing facts: • According to the Pan American Health Organisation and the World Bank 13 countries in Central and Latin America last year showed a higher rate of killings than that of the US which is 10 per 100.000 inhabitants. The figure is estimated at 150 in Guatemala and El Salvador, 90 in Columbia, 35 in Jamaica and 20 here in Brazil. • The Inter- american Bank of Development estimate the total loss from violence and bloodshed to around 168 billion US dollars in Latin America, or about 14% of the total economy of the continent. Roughly 15% of the Gross Domestic Product in this continent goes on public and private security. Equal to the amount spent on social welfare. • In Brazil alone the security industry has a turnover of 15 billion dollars by fortifying among others the private homes of the middle and upper classes. These bleak figures show just how much needs to be done to reduce the social and economic gulf between rich and poor. Political leaders must recognise that dialogue is needed within society to ease social tensions. A recent poll in Latin America found only 27% of the respondents judging their owns country's democracy as working well. The poll reveals that throughout the Americas both rich and poor almost everywhere feel less secure, as drugs, guns and violent crime take an even- stronger hold on the shanty towns that ring so many cities. Not all the troubles share a common cause. Yet one thread runs through them all. A decade of democratic regimes broadly committed to low inflation, free economies and open trade has not in general brought sustained growth. Discontent springs from huge social needs. In most of the countries of Americas there is an urgent need to rebuild confidence in the institutions of public life. Even though the poll is a worrying signal to the societies in the Americas, at the same time it comprised a comforting element: 61% of the respondents still see democracy as the best form of government. And that is good news for journalism. For journalism exercised professionally and in decent im 45 Report of the XXIII IFJ World Congress social conditions provides the life- blood of democracy. But this only happens if media honour the objectives of press freedom and journalists are allowed to carry out their work in the service of society as a whole and not solely in the service of the political or economic elite. Ten years ago the IFJ warned that dramatic changes now overtaking the world's media would only be truly beneficial if the media mission to serve society remained a core objective. We spelled out the dangers of media- concentration, of the threat to standards through new forms of info- tainment, and of the erosion of democracy if information become purely linked to economic imperatives. Very few listened when we pointed out, that news are not just another commodity. Very few were at that time ready to understand, that when big money- players treat the media like usual business with the potential of lucrative profits, the democracy in society can be in for tough challenges. The case of Berlusconi in Italy where the media owner used his power to grab the position of prime minister make it obvious to everyone to what extent access to media power can be abused by owners. Now this national ambition has taken on a world- wide dimension. Today media owners who stand astride the globe with enormous political and economic power- such as Rubert Murdoch- have a degree of influence which is frightening and undermines the very fabric of national democratic conditions. Professor Ben Bagdikian of Berkeley University two years ago speaking of the new threats said: " Concentrated media power as it is now 26 developing... is, in a real sense, a private ministry of information. These private powers now cooperate with each otheri in arrangements with far- reaching con- QUY sequences. Yet, as they grow, they grow further from the reach of the public. We recognise that economic power is political power. But media power is political power multiplied. And large media firms, like most large industrial firms, tend to be politically conservative. They are resistant to political measures that place obligations on them and by extension on any corpo- m rate activity. The sad reality is, that once permitted to grow almost more powerful than government and overwhelmingly on one side of the political spectrum, large media corporations represent a social and economic problem in every country, that has reached that state. They do become, in effect, private ministries of information. And private ministries of information are no less troublesome than propagandistic governmental ones. His words strengthen further our resolve to curb the ever- growing power of the transnational media conglomerates. This new world order of information power has also seen an unprecedented attack on journalistic standards. Although public concern has sometimes been misplaced as in the celebrated case of the death of Princess Diana. This world- wide story of unprecedented coverage and emotion saw our profession victimised and made a public scapegoat. We had the grotesque public spectacle of doublestandards in abundance with politicians, public figures- even some artists and actors- jumping to accuse the media of invasion of privacy when they are the first to claim the benefits of public exposure when it suits their political or financial or ego- centric interests. Report of the XXIII IFJ World Congress Governments, politicians and people who have rushed to call for press regulation should remember that it only makes matters worse to blame the messenger. Journalists do need to clean up their act in some areas and we should do it ourselves, with the support of civil society and not have our already difficult job made worse by ill- thought out laws, rules and dangerous new elements of information control. We are ready to open a debate on this issue. We have already started the process. We do not see ourselves as an elitist group with no responsibility for what we do. But we do demand the issue of ethical conduct is seen in the context of training, working conditions and professional independence. In order to improve the situation the IFJ believes it is important to focus on the everyday realities of our working lives and by looking at the specific issues we follow. How we handle them. How we can improve. But we need to focus too on social developments. On how extremist political movements try to manipulate media with the aim to initiate disputes and conflicts. United On the growth of racism, xenophobia and extreme forms of nationalism, that constitute a huge threat to free and independent journalism. On the imbalance between the information- rich and the information poor of the world and the nonsense of an information revolution which is a fantasy to the great mass of the world's population. To be on- line today makes a difference. In many countries it means access to information, knowledge, business and a significant upgrade in social status. However, to the vast group of the disconnected there is still illiteracy, ignorance and poverty. When the story of the 20th century is written it will be seen in terms of a world becoming smaller and dominated by a handful of enormous economic blocks and a dominant ideology in favour of big business, with the emphasis on big. Even the IFJ, in its own terms is big. The IFJ today amounts close to half a million journalists, a figure, which the founders of this federation would not even have dreamt of. But compared to other internationals we are not that big. And if you spot the planned mergers to take place in the environment close to our profession- involving post and telecoms workers, printers and some broadcast staff- the IFJ has no big brother role to play, neither in terms of member- figures, nor of resources. During the past three years the IFJ has succeeded in achieving two objectives: to secure the financial viability of the federation and to secure its position as the leading international body representing journalists. By operating a very tight and disciplined spending policy, the IFJ today is more financially secure than we have ever been. I mention this in context with the dramatic growth of the federation, which is not always reflected in the income from membership fees. But there is an overall income, which is fundamental to cover the basic running of the secretariat, regional offices and salaries and to providing a range of activities which all IFJ members benefit from. I mention this as a recognition of the enormous professional work carried out by an understaffed secretariat headed by General Secretary Aidan White and his deputy Bettina Peters. Being able to stand independently does not mean we should avoid co- operation with others, far from it. There are a number of advantages in sharing activities and resources with other trade union internationals to be able to confront the technological, economic and social challenges of the years ahead. To very many delegates present at congress this is nothing new. At home you practise co- operation with other branches within the communication sector or your union even 6 7 Report of the XXIII IFJ World Congress forms a part of a much greater national confederation. Traditions, formats and patterns for organising vary around the globe. And I could add, that the preferred platform for organising usually only exists as long as all co- operative partners see a mutual interest in it to continue. This is why the IFJ will move towards the new millenium with a declared policy, that we are open to co- operation with all relevant partners on condition that our principles for professional independence and integrity stay intact. But added to this I must say, that for the coming years the most important thing for the IFJ and its affiliates is to understand the future developments of the media- in which sectors we are going to have the future journalists' and media jobs- and that we as unionists have an open, creative mind to actively organise and reorganise ourselves to meet the new structures of journalism and communication. This is perhaps the most important debate we are going to have at this congress. How we make the strategic layout for organisation in the industry based on the core of our profession. To all new delegates to the congress I have a special word of welcome. I know from experience this can be a confusing and overwhelming event- new faces, names one cannot remember, several languages and the like. - What you have to think of, is, that your ideas, your input, your points of view are as valid and sometimes better than those of the old gang. So don't be afraid, speak up- that's what you are here for. And remember: the IFJ is yours. It doesn't belong to the President or the General Secretary. It belongs to its members. This is why the International Federation of Journalists need not be afraid of the future. We shall remain what we have always been: the company of bad boys and girls which everyone wants to keep, but which occasionally spoils because we give evidence of reality. We argue, report and generally persist with uncomfortable questions about unpleasant matters which others would prefer forgotten. We shall fight to keep the media and journalism just as awkward as it should always be. We shall ensure that a benchmark for democracy and media and independent journalism is the standard set by the IFJ and its member unions. We make no apology. We are going to continue that way. Welcome to you all. belwond Report of the XXIII IFJ World Congress borele 1. Opening Ceremony BREACH THE OFFICIAL OPENING of the IFJ's 23rd World Congress took place at the Pernambuco Convention Centre in Recife on May 3rd 1998 World Press Freedom Day. The ceremony was attended by more than 2,500 people including delegates to the Congress, local guests and observers and participants in a national journalism fair organised by the host union, the National Federation of Brazilian Journalists' Associations( FENAJ). Speakers at the opening were: Jens Linde, President of the IFJ; 109091 Américo Antunes, President of FENAJ; Rossini Barreira, President of the Pernambuco Regional Association of FENAJ; Miguel Arraes, Governor of Pernambuco State; and Marco Maciel, Vice President of The Republic of Brazil. The keynote address at the opening came from the Canadian Heritage Minister Sheila Copps who made a passionate and multilingual plea for action to protect cultural diversity. She gave examples of how Canada, with its long common border with the United States, struggled to maintain its identity and cultural integrity in the world of journalism, music, art and entertainment. Global media provided great opportunities, but she warned that the dangers were great, too. She called for a new approach which of would give greater priority to the needs of ob minorities and to protect regional identity. Taking up the theme of World Press Freedom Day she paid tribute to the sacrifice made by journalists the world over. Her rousing call for greater professional solidarity and media engagement with the problems of society found a strong echo among the hundreds of journalists, students, experts and representatives of Brazilian society who had joined IFJ delegates for the inauguration of the Congress. 2. Working Rules and Order of Business CONGRESS elected the following to the Presidium: Bob Norris NUJ, Great Britain and Ireland, Judit Neurink NVJ, the Netherlands, Koldo San Sebastian ELA-STV, Spain, Tove- Hygum Jakobsen DJ, Denmark. Congress adopted the working rules. 3. Presidential AddressMA THE PRESIDENT gave his Presidential address in which he outlined the main points of the work of the IFJ over the previous three years and identified the challenges facing the Federation in the years to come. During his address the President asked participants to commemorate all those IFJ colleagues who had died in the Congress period and he made special reference to: François Geyer ( Swiss Federation of Journalists), Wim Klinkenberg( Dutch Journalists' Association), Rodolfo Audi( Fatpren, Argentina) and Offering Kajimalwendo( ZUJ, Zambia). The full text of the Presidential Address is attached to this report. 4. Report of the General Secretary IN THE INTRODUCTION to his report the General Secretary said the IFJ has managed to achieve its two main objectives of the Congress period: ⚫to secure the viability of the IFJ; and ⚫to establish beyond doubt the IFJ's credibility as the legitimate voice of journalists worldwide. 89 Report of the XXIII IFJ World Congress The Federation has managed to grow and continued to keep its independence of governments or private enterprise. But there was no reason to be complacent. The IFJ still had many problems to overcome. It needed to achieve long- term viability. It needed to focus on organising and recruitment campaigns aimed at increasing membership of national unions. The only way in which the IFJ could grow was if its members grew. Therefore, the next cycle of activity must be committed to trade union and organising of work, he said. The General Secretary made the following comments on regional activity: In Africa, the Media for Democracy programme continues to provide unions with key services and had considerably increased IFJ membership in the region. The programme has empowered IFJ unions to run their own project activity so that practical organisation in future can be shifted away from the secretariat. phi In Asia, the IFJ faces a number of problems. In the Indian subcontinent there are problems of activity but the General Secretary was pleased that with the assistance of the Indian colleagues IFJ work has made a fresh start. The IFJ needs to find ways to work more effectively in the South Asian region. With the Hong Kong Journalists Association do hns the IFJ had a member in China and it needed to see how to use the HKJA in regional work. The world has lessons to learn from the recent Asian financial crisis. The crisis has enormous effects on journalists with thousands and thousands of our colleagues losing their job. In North America, the IFJ has a small number of affiliates but they are of enormous importance for international work. The TNG plays an important role in IFJ project work assisting in establishing links to Latin American unions. It is wrong, said the General Secretary, to assume that North America is one- dimensional. IFJ unions there have many diverse contributions to make. For Europe, he highlighted the importance He thanked the IFJ staff for their commitof the EFJ, which is a model for regionalment to the organisation. organisation. The EFJ work not only is of w major importance to Europe but the EFJ leads the debate on key IFJ concerns. But Europe is also still a continent divided, enormous problems remain in parts of Eastern Europe. The key role of the new member unions from CIS should not be underestimated. They make an important contribution to the IFJ work internationally, especially the Journalists Union of Russia which has played an important role in the region of the former Soviet Union. In Latin America, IFJ work continues to grow and expand. Latin American colleagues are at the cutting edge of developments in globalisation and cultural independence. The Latin American office needs to be secured for the years to come. The GAL- FIP has to find ways to contribute and be responsible for the IFJ regional office directly. od nomin pro But he wanted to stress to delegates that the IFJ secretariat was exhausted by the increasing workload that it was taking on. This benefited the IFJ both industrially and financially, but it was impossible to continue to ask the staff to work in the way it had of done in recent years. It is necessary, he said, to consider urgent changes and the Executive Committee was in the process of looking at new forms of organisation which would allow core IFJ activity to be carried out while maintaining the provision of project activities which had become so important in recent years. This reorganisation of work would make the IFJ more efficient and more effective in the service of member unions. The General Secretary also apologised for having to make changes in the Congress schedule. The IFJ and the Brazilian organisers Report of the XXIII IFJ World Congress had not anticipated the large scale of participation in the local event and this made difficult the combining of the Congress with the FENAJ journalism fair. He regretted some comments by a few participants about apparent mismanagement of the Congress by FENAJ. These were not appropriate. The responsibility for organisation of the Congress rested with the IFJ alone and he wished to apologise for any difficulties, but assured delegates that the organisation by FENAJ had been exemplary. Américo Antunes, the President of FENAJ took the floor and explained the objectives of FENAJ toward the Congress. He stressed the role of journalists in the wider social environment. This was why students and other social actors had been invited to the Congress Opening. FENAJ wanted the Congress to be a success and an opportunity for journalists from across the globe to engage with Brazilian society. Difficulties regarding organisation were being overcome. Delegates warmly supported these statenging 916 ments. bas 5. Debate on the Report of the General Secretary IN THE DEBATE, representatives from a wide range of IFJ member unions intervened: Mohamed Ben Salah, Tunisia, gave credit to the amount of work of the IFJ Secretariat and thanked the out- going President, Jens Linde. He stressed the need for more effective communication among member unions, especially via electronic communication. 2 Paolo Serventi Longhi, Italy, mentioned the importance of the citizens' rights and of ethical standards and codes of conducts written by journalists themselves. He proposed that his union, the FNSI, could play a leading role in co- ordinating the work of IFJ unions in Southern Europe. The IFJ had to re- adapt its structure to the new developments in the global media industry, said M'Jahed Younouss, Morocco. He mentioned several key problems such as the lack of professionalism in the written press and the need for dialogue on the audiovisual sector. He asked for IFJ support and expertise in helping to restructure the public broadcasting sector. Mark Turnbull, President of the NUJ in Great Britain and Ireland, expressed his appreciation of the help and understanding the IFJ had shown in its relations with the NUJ. He stressed that the NUJ in Great Britain and Ireland would become a significant player again in the international world of journalists. Linda Foley, United States of America, stressed the enormous threat from corporate power, the low morale of journalists and the need to combine forces with other media workers. Farhana Ismail, from MWASA in South Africa, requested information about the relations between the IFJ and the Media Institute of Southern Africa( MISA), which was not a trade union. The General Secretary explained that the IFJ had no formal relationship with MISA. Delegates from Senegal, Alpha Sall, and from India, Dr N Trikha, gave country reports on the conditions of working journalists. The NUJ India proposed to organise a seminar on children's rights in India. Suresh Akhouri, from IJU in India, called on IFJ members to support them in their fight. for social justice and for decent working conditions for journalists. Hans Verploeg, the Netherlands, reported on achievements in copyright in the Netherlands. The Dutch union had managed to get an agreement with Dutch employers for payment of works used on the Internet. He further highlighted the need for safety work and networks to continue. The IFJ's 10 11 Report of the XXIII IFJ World Congress safety programme had helped to save lives and would continue to save lives. Jane Singleton, Australia, reported on the support of the Australian Union to the IFJ Safety Fund. The MEAA had collected 40,000 US$. Soren Wormslev, from the Danish Union announced that they had collected 50.000 US$ for the Safety Fund. Congress participants also contributed some 19,707 US$ in a collection at the meeting including a large contribution from the Norwegian Union of 18,950 US$. Guest speaker Luc Demaret, of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, reminded the Congress that 1998 was the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on trade union rights. These two declarations embodied the principles that both the ICFTU and the IFJ stand for. He referred to the ever rising revenues of large multinational corporations while at the same time living conditions and poverty remained enormous problems. In spite of rhetoric to the contrary, the globalisation of financial markets had not brought improvement of living conditions. The ICFTU like the IFJ was calling for rules to ensure that globalisation will be of benefit for the workers and the people and not just for the coffers of the corporations. Both organisations had to continue to work together so that trade union rights and unfair labour practices, which had often been the ultimate reasons for the lay- offs.sq Kabral Blay Amihere, Ghana, testified to the positive impact of the joint efforts of the IFJ, the Ghana Journalists Association( GJA) and the Western African Journalists Association( WAJA). He said that the IFJ Media for Democracy programme had made a great impact in Africa. One of its advantages was the support of press centres. The GJA had found that the press centre had enormously strengthened its work. He called on the IFJ to make its work even more visible. He reported on the IFJ/ WAJA mission to Liberia and the positive effect it had had. He regretted that no one from Nigeria had been able to come Congress, but called on the IFJ to support a motion signaling support for Nigerian colleagues. Mario Guastoni, SNJ France, highlighted the dangers of globalisation and mediaspe concentration also for professional journalism and cultural independence. He further called on the IFJ to clearly define its objectives before entering into any alliances with other media workers. Wolfgang Mayer, IG Medien/ Germany, thanked the General Secretary and FENAJ. He asked three questions: first: Why did the IFJ not carry out practical training programmes, secondly about the reference in the report to mismanagement in the human rights were respected by all including Ljubljana centre, thirdly about IFJ relations multinational companies. He commended the IFJ for the organisation of the Child Rights and the Media conference which had shown the importance of journalists interacting with society. 2 Seh- Yong Lee, Korea, revealed the devastating effects the financial crisis has had on the Korean media. There had been massive layoffs. In recent months 4,500 colleagues had been fired. Korean media workers could suffer the overall effects of the crisis but they would not stand for bad management and with freedom of expression organisations. of He further highlighted the need for the IFJ to organise and represent freelances since they were in some countries the largest group of journalists. He alerted Congress about new players in the media market like World Space who claim they wanted to bring radio to the Southern Hemisphere. In the last months World Space launched their first satellite with 100 channels and mostly European radio stations had booked time on the satellite that targets especially Africa. This was real globalisation, sending the same messag Report of the XXIII IFJ World Congress es around the world regardless of whether they had any meaning to the local public. He asked the IFJ and the Executive Committee to closely investigate World Space. mem wwel Naem Toubassi, AJA Palestine, thanked FENAJ for hosting IFJ Congress. He commended the IFJ for its work in defence of press freedom and journalists' rights. He reported on problems of Palestinian journalists who had no freedom of movement and several of whom had been wounded by Israeli soldiers while reporting clashes between Palestinians and the Israeli army. Jerusalem, which was the centre of Palestinian and international media remained closed to Palestinian journalists. Even the IFJ press card was not recognised by the Israeli military. He called on the IFJ to support the AJA in its struggle to defend the human rights of Palestinian journalists. Jean- Francois Téaldi, France CGT, said he was pleased to be the first CGT delegate to address an IFJ Congress. The CGT belonged to the IOJ but one month earlier they had decided to leave the IOJ because it was unnecessary to stay in an organisation that existed for its own benefit and not for its members. The IFJ on the other hand provided an extensive programme of activity and support to its members. He highlighted the problem of racism and xenophobia and called on IFJ members to participate more in IMRAX work. The delegate from FATPREN, Argentina, Osvaldo Miguel Urriolabeitia reported on recent projects organised by FATPREN in cooperation with the IFJ as well as MEI. He mentioned that a new union in Argentina for press workers was established that was asking for IFJ membership but that this organisations did not represent the full journalistic community. Ludger Kasumuni, Tanzanian Union of Journalists, also stressed the great contribusuption of the Media for Democracy Programme in Africa. He further thanked the NUJ, Great Britain and Ireland for their help. The release of a journalist in prison was also an achievement of the cooperation between the local union and the IFJ. He stressed the problems of communication among unions in Africa. With regard to the Finance report on assistance he mentioned that a clear IFJ policy was needed. Guest speaker Jim Wilson, General Secretary of the Media and Entertainment International, said the IFJ had been MEI's closest ally and friend in the international trade union movement. He reported to Congress on plans to establish a large international comprising MEI, FIET, IGF and Cl. If it was set up MEI would be a very small part of it. The merger was far advanced and MEI would most likely join the merged organisation. MEI was recognised as a distinct organisation within the group and this would be the most effective way to ensure a close relationship with the IFJ. It had been agreed that the alliance with FIM and FIA would ed remain in place as would ICEMU. So there was no reason why co- operation could not Colson Dorme, Haiti, thanked the IFJ Caracas Office for help and assistance and continue, it may even become stronger.gave a report on the situation of the press in There were risks for MEI and IFJ in the creation of the large international but there were also large advantages. MEI recognised that IFJ was the only legitimate organisation to speak on behalf of journalists. This remained their position. He proposed that the agreement that had been reached between IFJ and MEI should be reaffirmed once and if the new international is established. IHaiti. He asked the IFJ for support for training activities in Haiti to ameliorate the extremely difficult situation in this country. Andreas Kannaouros, Cyprus, mentioned the growing tasks of the Federation and the need to stress the function of professional journalism in a converging industry. He urged the Executive Committee to increase the staff of the IFJ Headquarters and to meet 12 13 Report of the XXIII IFJ World Congress more regularly to face the growing challenges. He proposed to organise more training programmes for IFJ member unions and to raise awareness on the Safety Fund. He mentioned the specific problems in Cyprus due to the division of this country. He thanked President Jens Linde for all the work he had done. Roberto Mejia Alarcon, Peru, stressed the importance of meeting at the Congress and sharing common ideas. Ezki Widianti, Indonesia, reported on the extremely difficult situation in Indonesia. She described the reasons for being a political refugee. She mentioned that her union was not recognised by the government and that three journalists had been in prison for a long time. She asked members of the Congress for continuing help. Sergio Espinoza, Nicaragua, thanked the IFJ for their understanding for his organisation's problems in meeting its financial obligations. He said that the IFJ had shown great solidarity with Nicaraguan journalists. T. Dashdondov, Mongolia, thanked the IFJ and FENAJ for the organisation of the Congress. He reported that the government elected in 1996 with a programme of press freedom and human rights had in fact not kept any of its promises and was still controlling the state- owned broadcasting corporation. Rampholo Molefhe, Botswana, reported how the IFJ has assisted the BOJA in becoming an active part in Botswana journalism. Botswana had a small number of journalists - 250 most of whom worked for the stateowned media. He asked member unions to help BOJA to finalise its union statutes and to help them in devising recruitment campaigns. He further asked the IFJ to help to establish the Southern Africa Journalists Association. - Sam Sole, SAUJ South Africa, thanked FENAJ for the organisation of the Congress and for being open to interact with society. He reported that in spite of the new South African constitution being the most liberal in the world some actions by the ANC government were worrying. The main problem was the fragmentation of the journalists move- of ment, the pressure through a new labour law which would allow journalists only to bargain as part of large units. Arnold Amber, TNG Canada, noted that 219 the IFJ had decided not to be active in the leadership of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange. He considered this a 92 mistake and called on the IFJ to return to the IFEX Council. Philippe Leruth, Belgium, supported the proposed motion on globalisation and opposition to the Multilateral Agreement on Investment( MAI). It was essential that the IFJ and the AREG( Authors' Rights Experts Group)- which had done tremendous work- campaigned against any reduction of authors' rights by the MAI. nishs Fanny Petralia, JUADN Greece, called on the IFJ to continue to campaign for safeguarding public service broadcasting. Gustl Glattfelder, DJV Germany, said that globalisation and deregulation were probHe added to previous contributions reporting lems that journalists face across the globe. that also in Germany authors' rights protection on the internet was being recognised by German courts. He further reported on an agreement reached with the publishers which states that modified photos have to be marked with a symbolic" M" to show they have been altered. Vsevolod Bogdanov, Russia, reported on corruption in Russian journalism and society at large. The major challenge for the Journalists' Union of Russia was to improve working conditions in an industry which was undergoing tremendous change with new investors, concentration of ownership and privatisation. He spoke about the efforts of the JUR to establish itself as an independent trade union. Report of the XXIII IFJ World Congress In his response, the General Secretary thanked delegates for the interest they had shown in the work of the IFJ. He corrected a mistake in the finance report and told Congress that the Swedish Union did not owe the IFJ money. It was, in fact, one of the unions that always paid on time. He reported that the Executive Committee had decided to expel the AJA because it did not represent any longer Algerian journalists. In response to the questions raised by IG Medien he said that practical training programmes were important, but he questioned whether the IFJ should do them itself, given that there was a wide array of journalism training schools active in the field. He said that the reported mismanagement in the Ljubljana centre had been dealt with and there had been a change of staff. This had. been reported to the Executive Committee. and details circulated to all IFJ unions. Relations with freedom of expression organisations were outlined in Section 9 of the report.now so Concerning IFEX, the IFJ remained active within IFEX not only centrally but also through some of its member unions. The proposal by the TNG Canada to return to the IFEX Council would be put to the Executive Committee. Congress approved the Report of the General Secretary. Kanna betaobs Jon to es lin 6. Report of Congress Commissions THE CONGRESS adjourned into three Commissions: finance and constitution; ethics and human rights; globalisation and convergence. 9 abo 6.1 Commission One: IFJ Constitution from Tony Wilton, New Zealand, rapporteur, explained that the basis for the discussion had been the proposal of the Executive Committee to which some unions had tabled amendments. The report was presented section by section: Section I Executive Committee proposal, no amendments- adopted. Section II Executive Committee proposal, no amendments- adopted. to slo Section III Commission amendment to add the words: " journalists and" after the word: " social role"- adopted. Section III as amended- adopted. Section IV Commission proposal to amend para 4a to add:" being employed or working as a freelance"- adopted. Proposal of Morocco( SNPM) not adopted: 46 in favour, 96 against, 9 abstentions. Section IV as amended- adopted. Section V Executive Committee proposal, no amendments- adopted. Section VI Morocco amendment withdrawn. Executive Committee proposal adopted. Section VII Recommendation to adopt Executive Committee proposal with the Cyprus union amendment first line and last three lines deleted adopted. DJV and IG Medien proposal concerning the election of a committee to prepare resolutions independently from the Executive Committee was not supported by the Commission. Tony Wilton explained the constitution was very clear that new and substantial proposals must be submitted within the deadline set by Congress to allow delegates to discuss A proposals with their bodies at home.noitom 14 15 Report of the XXIII IFJ World Congress He further reported on a proposal by the Swiss Federation and a number of other unions saying the President must be" a wor king journalist". This proposal had been strongly rejected by the Commission for the same reasons as the IG Medien proposal. It was unconstitutional and improper, he said. Section VII proposal by Executive Committee as amended by Commission- adopted. Section VIII A proposal from IG Medien on the role of the General Secretary and the secretariat was not supported and the alternative text was also not supported, a minority opinion on this was reserved by the movers. IG Medien did not wish to speak on its proposal. A proposal from NUJ in Great Britain and Ireland on the timing of nominations was withdrawn. The proposal from the Austrian Union, similar to that of IG Medien on the role of the General Secretary and the secretariat was not supported by the Commission. The Commission further opposed the amendments from Cyprus on rule 26 and rule 28. Amendments to Rule 28 and 32 proposed by the Cyprus union were withdrawn. A proposal submitted by SJL Finland on points 29 c was not supported by the Commission because the constitution was not the place for statements of policy. The SJL agreed to withdraw its proposal. The SJL further expressed its opposition to 29 c because of opposition to a proposed quota to improve representation of women. on the IFJ Executive Committee. Gustl Glattfelder, DJV Germany, also expressed his union's view against the quota. Arnold Amber, Canada, supported the motion saying that there were already more than 50% women in journalism and this should also be reflected in the IFJ's governing body. The Senior Vice President, Christopher Warren, on behalf of the Executive Committee, strongly recommended the amendment, especially with regard to regions other than Europe. He stressed that the reason was to overcome patterns of discrimination. He stressed that the IFJ allowed ongoing discrimination against women and that the IFJ had failed to get more female delegates to Congress. Morocco proposed to solve the question of quotas by consensus and not by vote. Francisco Audije, from CCOO, Spain proposed that the Executive Committee should request before each Congress that at least a third of the delegates should be women. 199 listsb The General Secretary mentioned that the Executive Committee and the IFJ did already ask member unions to have more women representatives. evit NUJ, India, proposed that at least one member of the delegation should be a woman. FENAJ, Brasil defended the quota and asked unions to provide for day care centres for children. A vote on the proposal put forward by the Executive Committee that there should be a quota, section VIII 29 c- not adopted. In favour: 91, against 92, abstentions 18. A proposal to have a roll call on the previous vote given the closeness was not agreed. In favour: 57 Against: 105. On rule 31 the Commission recommended to add to the text proposed by the Executive Committee increasing the majority required in paragraph b) to four fifths and to add the words:" in terms of this Constitution" at the end of paragraph c). Rule 31 with the amendment was adopted. Report of the XXIII IFJ World Congress ST Rule 34 contained a new amendment from Executive Committee on the role of the Administrative Committee which reads: " Supervise the Federation activities of the General Secretary, IFJ finances, membership matters, examine matters of concern and prepare wider policy issues for discussion in the Executive Committee." " Act for the Federation between meetings of the Executive Committee within the policies established by Congress and the Executive Committee, such actions to be confirmed at the following Executive Committee meeting." This amendment was adopted. Cyprus union amendments to rule 34, 35, 36, 38 were withdrawn. Section VIII with amendments previously agreed- adopted. Section IX Executive Committee proposal- adopted. Section X The Commission recommended a formulation which accepts the establishment of a maximum number of members, but that this figure should be set by Congress and not the Executive Committee. For the next Congress period the figure will be 17,000. This amendment was adopted. Peru proposal on section X was withdrawn. namuH Andreas Kannaouros, Cyprus, spoke in favour of amendment to point 45 calling on the IFJ to cover the expenses of all the members of Executive Committee unless their 30% increase in the IFJ central budget. Either member unions would have to bear a substantial increase in membership fees, which he did not believe unions were ready to accept given the already high level of fees, or the IFJ would have to severely limit. its programme of activity. Cyprus proposed a modification to say that unions pay for participation but to include that for those unions who cannot pay will be paid for by the IFJ. Vote on Cyprus union proposal regarding 45 not adopted. Section X as proposed by Executive Committee with amendment- adopted. Section XI as proposed by Executive Committee- adopted. Section XII as proposed by Executive Committee adopted. Following these votes, a formal roll call vote was held on the revised constitution. The new Constitution was adopted by Congress with a majority greater than two- thirds. In favour: 250 Against: 10, Abstentions: 32. The text of the new Constitution is included within this report. 6.2 Commission One: Report of the Treasurer The Honourary Treasurer presented the Financial Report. He mentioned that income from unions still had to be increased for the member unions would be ready to cover OM IFJ to remain independent. He said that the such expenses. The Honorary Treasurer spoke against the proposal pointing out that if such a proposal was made then the Cyprus union should also propose where this money should come from. The General Secretary said the adoption of such a proposal would effectively mean a IFJ depended too much on outside help via projects. The income on affiliation fees did not grow in the same way as the IFJ had grown as an organisation. He mentioned the need for real and correct membership figures. A database on membership fees being up dated every half a year should be sent to all member unions at a regular basis. 16 17 Report of the XXIII IFJ World Congress With regard to the deadline of membership. fees he said there was a need to pay on time, that is before April 1. But in spite of the concerns expressed, the IFJ had managed to build up its reserves. He proposed that the IFJ should go back to its core business and deal with other tasks together with other internationals, as for example with IFEX, Journalists Safety Service etc. veq fonso orivy enou Jonathan Tasini, NWU United States, offered the assistance of his union in terms of finding funding for projects. With regard to funds for the Safety Fund the President reiterated the possibility of fundraising at national congresses. There should be a periodical report on the money collected at the national Congresses. The question of exonerations was discussed and the Honourary Treasurer explained that after long discussions agreements would be reached. The Financial Report was endorsed unanimously. 6.3 Commission Two: Ethics and Human Rights Linda Foley of the TNG, United States, rapporteur, presented the results of the Commission work. Motion( Day of Memory of Perished Journalists), Ukraine union withdrew the motion. It was agreed that it would be presented to new Executive Committee. Motion proposed by ELA- STV ( Information on Chiapas)- adopted. Motion proposed by Peru( Solidarity with pong Peruvian journalists)- adopted. Motion proposed by KUJ on Kenyan airwaves recommended by Commission- adopted. Motion proposed by AJA motion on Palestine adopted. - Executive Committee proposal on Racism, or Xenophobia and Nationalism. The ELA/ STV delegation proposed to change the name of the resolution to substitute nationalism with intolerance. This was adopted. Motion proposed by NUJ- India on violation of journalists rights in India- adopted. 1990 Motion proposed by SNPM Morocco ontem Human rights and women's rights in the media adopted. - Motion proposed by MFDJA Mongolia- adopted. Motion proposed by Cyprus Union of Journalists adopted. Motion proposed by GAL- FIP- adopted. Motion proposed by Guatemala- adopted. bu Motion on invasion of privacy, amendment to resolution on Ethics of Journalism, proposed by the Executive Committee- adopted. Debate focused first on whether reference should be made to media employers in the area of ethics. The Cyprus delegate felt that it should also refer to media owners while a number of other speakers strongly felt that ethical standards are a matter for journalists and if reference was made to employers we would risk that employers imposed their ethics on journalists. Sam Sole, South Africa, proposed to add under a) the words:" the setting of..." Amendment adopted. Executive Committee proposal on ethics with amendments- adopted. Executive Committee proposal on Safety of Journalists adopted Executive Committee proposal on Human Rights adopted. - Motion on Turkey, proposed by SJU Switzerland- adopted. Motion on Journalists' misconduct in Former Yugoslavia, proposed by Independent Trade Union of Media, Serbia- adopted. Motion proposed by MEAA Australia and TNG, United States, supported by several unions on Human Rights, women and the IFJ. This arose following the defeat of the proposal to amend the constitution to guarantee a minimum number of seats on the Executive Committee for women. Report of the XXIII IFJ World Congress Diis Bohn, Norway, proposed to delete the first sub- point of the motion, which read: " On the basis of discussion held in Recife congress instructs the Executive Committee to examine procedural changes in the constitution, working rules, voting proceedings that would ensure more women delegates, candidates and women officers at the next Congress." After discussion the proposal to delete the first sub- point was withdrawn. She also proposed to vote on the motion point by point. This was agreed. Jim Boumelha, NUJ Great Britain and Ireland, proposed that Congress instruct the Executive Committee to call an international conference of all women members in the IFJ with the aim to develop a strategy on how to increase female representation within the IFJ and national unions. pro Jane Singleton replied that the IFJ already had a commitment to equality but the policy had failed. The TNG delegate proposed a roll call. This motion was not adopted. Congress voted on the motion paragraph by paragraph: pbs To instruct the Executive Committee to reestablish the working party on women set up in Montreal to co ordinate activity with the initial meeting to be held in 1998- adopted. To instruct the General secretary in consultation with regions and working party members to prepare a strategy on practical activities to enhance the position of women in the media adopted. send. To authorise the Executive Committee to coopt to each of its meeting two women journalists as observers with full participation rights excluding the right to vote- adopted. In favour: 116, Against 99, Abstentions 11. To direct the General Secretary to include a section in his or her report to Congress on specific actions taken to enhance the participation, representation of and support for women in the media- adopted. On the basis of the discussion at this Congress to instruct the Executive Committee to examine possible procedural changes and proposals for the working rules that would secure more women delegates, women candidates and women elected officers at future Congresses- adopted. 6.4 Commission Three: Globalisation and Convergence Silvia Martinez, MEAA Australia, rapporteur, presented the amendments discussed in the Commission. PROPOSALS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE PROPOSAL ON GLOBALISATION Add: para 2 under instructs: international and national labour standards and collective agreement- adopted. Add para 3 under instructs: media and communications unions- adopted. Change para 5 change from oppose to actively campaign against- adopted. Alf Lindberg proposed that the new Executive Committee should draft a strategy paper on campaigning against the negative. effects of globalisation and media concentration to be used by member unions to ensure that there is a consistent message coming out of the IFJ adopted. New paragraphs To treat authors' rights as a principal subject to defend to intensify activities to protect these rights- adopted. To create mechanisms of sharing tools and knowledge that can be used to enhance and empower local members- adopted. The Executive Committee proposal with. amendments was adopted by Congress. gene Congress considered a motion on effects of globalisation on Asia calling for specific actions by the IFJ- adopted. 18 19 Report of the XXIII IFJ World Congress Motion proposed by NUJ Great Britain and Ireland on News Corporation was recommended by Commission- adopted. Motion proposed by DJV and IG Medien on Globalisation of Media Enterprises. Amendment to add sub- point: include members from more than one region- adopted. The Commission felt that instructing the Executive Committee could imply an extension of existing resources leaving it to Congress to determine whether the Executive Committee should be instructed or called on to set up the working party this should be left to the Executive Committee. The motion was adopted with the amendments. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE PROPOSAL ON MEDIA CONVERGENCE Amendment: Instructs the Executive Committee to notify member unions of the risk of state restrictions in the new digital online services which has been unthinkable until now in the press- adopted. The motion as amended was adopted. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE PROPOSAL ON RELATIONS WITH OTHER MEDIAWORKERS The Commission recognised the importance of cooperating with other media workers. The IFJ should continue to have joint activities where appropriate. The Commission noit supported the motion and declared that the Executive Committee should with a open mind continue to examine the relationship with other media workers. The Commission, therefore, recommended of to delete the words including structural zer changes. This gave some members concern that it may commit the IFJ to actually undergo these structural changes- adopted. The motion as amended was adopted. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE PROPOSAL ON PUBLIC BROADCASTING Amendment para 2: insisting... delete: in sources available to democratic society and replace with" of views"- adopted. Commission recommended to rephrase para 4: Agreeing that in the coexistence of public and private broadcasting, independence, plurality and variety in programming must be protected, the financial standing of public broadcasting must be secured and a framework must exist to guarantee the professional and ethical role of journalists and pro- lab gramme makers- adopted. Delete para 6 deploring... delete: by favouring commercial interest... and insert Deploring actions by governments which i drive media towards monopoly, shift power from the public to the advertiser, and undermine accountable and democratic public service broadcasting systems- adopted. First sub- point after we declare: a legal and financial framework- adopted. Addition in form of last paragraph: Finally, Congress instructs the Executive Committee to organise the creation of a network of member unions operating in public broadcasting to share information and campaign around common issues of concern- adopted. Amendment proposed by SNJ CGT delegate- " diverse sources of funding which do not interfere with the editorial line"( sources diverses de financement qui n'intervient pas dans la ligne editoriale)- to be incorporated in final version of the motion- adopted. The motion as amended was adopted by Congress. EUROPE 7. Reports from regional meetings Gustl Glattfelder reported on European activity informing delegates of the up- brot coming AGM of the European Federation in Zagreb in June. Report of the XXIII IFJ World Congress Motion on West Africa Magazine ( NUJ GB and Ireland)- adopted. Motion on social status of journalists ( Belgium, France, Italy)- adopted. NORTH AMERICA Jonathan Tasini reported on a proposal to invite the Executive Committee to Boston for a trade union seminar at the Harvard institute. He thanked Linda Foley for her engagement in making US unions active in the IFJ. LATIN AMERICA ADVISERS Osvaldo Urriolabeitia, FATPREN reported on the difficult situation, covering, assassinations, lack of human rights editorial independence, working conditions. He said that the declarations by government and owners to improve the situation did not mean very much because they did not act on their promises to respect human rights. There was a need for even stronger union organisation. Motion on labour restrictions( FATPREN)- adopted. Hisw Motion on support to Brazilian students ( CGT)- adopted. ASIA- PACIFIC H Kin- ming Liu, Hong Kong Journalists' Association reported on the plan of action for the next three years by the Asia- Pacific group: The NUJ Great 1. Congress to be held in Asia in 2001- at least one Executive Committee meeting in Asia in the next three years; Aga T 2. to launch a web- site on Asian journalists unions; viszmari 3. to call on new Executive Committee to send missions to Indonesia and to Hongos Kong; 4. to assist unions in coping with financial crisis; 5. to assist unions in their structural development so that they become viable; 6. to campaign for public service broadcast7. to highlight role of media in protection and promotion of children's rights. Motion on Asia Activity from Nipporo- adopted. Motion on Palestinian media centre( AJA)- it was agreed to refer this to the Executive Committee for further consideration. AFRICA Farhana Ismail, MWASA reported that issues discussed were: registration of journalists, press freedom, commercial manipulation, government oppression. The group had agreed that the Media for Democracy Programme should be maintained and extended to all member unions in the region. There was a need for constant review to respond to change. It was proposed: to divide Africa into sub- regions; • to co- ordinate a meeting Southern African region to form Southern Africa Journalists Association. IFJ should primarily deal with its member unions and increase investment and activity. The IFJ Algeria centre was recognised but should expand its present mandate. The group urged the IFJ to set up a regional office in Africa to co- ordinate activity, exchange of information. The Commission was unable to reach a conclusion on where this centre should be located. Motion on situation in Uganda- adopted. Motion on situation in Niger- adopted. Motion on situation in Ethiopia- adopted. Motion on solidarity with Algerian journalists: noite no long Amendment proposed by FEPAC:" Congress also calls on the Algerian Government to ensure openness in order to facilitate the movement of journalists traveling within Algeria as well as to put an end to the tow W ers in the region to enjoy editorial inde- restrictions on the granting of visas to special pendence; correspondents sent to the country"- adopted. 20 21 Report of the XXIII IFJ World Congress Amendment Executive Committee- to note - the official recognition of the IFJ centre in Algiers adopted. Amendment FSJ: second sentence.... add: repression by paramilitary groups adopted. - The motion as a whole was adopted with these amendments. 8. Continuation of Debate on Motions Mario Antonio Sandova from Guatemala explained the difficult situation for journalists in Guatemala and stressed the importance of solidarity for those countries where there are many problems with freedom of the press. The political pressure by the government was enormous. He concluded that Guatemala and other countries in similar situations depended on support by all journalists. The observer from Cuba, Tubal Paez Hernandes, President of the Union of Journalists in Cuba, gave a report on the situation in Cuba and mentioned cooperation with the office in Caracas. He told Congress about a journalist who had been assassinated two weeks prior to Congress. He further mentioned projects operated by the union in cooperation with UNESCO. He stressed that his union was open for dialogue with other journalists, especially with the IFJ. OTHER ISSUES Executive Committee proposal on authors rights- adopted. Executive Committee proposal on freelances- adopted. Executive Committee proposal on relations with IOJ adopted. - Executive Committee proposal on international journalists' co- operation- withdrawn. Wolfgang Mayer, IG Medien asked why A Congress was not presented with a written working programme and how the Executive DOM pl98) Committee would determine the work without a working programme. The General UM) Secretary explained that the conclusions of the Commissions, the theme related and general resolutions adopted by Congress would define the working programme of the IFJ. It was therefore not necessary to present a separate working programme. All resolutions adopted by the Congress are attached to this report( see page 33 onwards). prism ni nem 9. Farewell address by outgoing president, Jens Linde 20 THE PRESIDENT made a farewell address. He stressed the difficulties of moving forward while respecting different traditions of$ 165 democracy and culture present in the IFJ.1m He said that the strength of the IFJ depended on the strength of its national unions. Organising campaigns at national level should therefore be a priority. He welcomed that creation of regional groups and decentralised structures during his tenure as well as the enormous growth the IFJ had witnessed in the last six years. He stressed the need for continued solidarity among journalists at international level. The delegates gave Jens Linde a standing ovation. 10. Elections to the Executive Committee THE CANDIDATES for the posts of President, Senior- Vice President and the two VicePresidents presented themselves. The olnu General Secretary explained the procedure and asked each candidate to give a short introduction of her/ himself. The voting cards were handed out by roll call. Gusti 11. Place of Next Congress THE CONGRESS warmly welcomed the invitation from the unions in Korea to hold Report of the XXIII IFJ World Congress Results of Elections to IFJ Executive Committee 1998-2001 300 possible votes: 293 valid votes PRESIDENT SR. VICE PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT as adopte Christopher Warren, MEAA( elected) for: 252, against: 59, abstention: 12 Gustl Glattfelder, DJV( elected) for: 237, against: 34. abstention: 22 Francisco Sant'Anna: 224( elected) Linda Foley: 199( elected) Mohamed Ben Salah: 77( not elected) abstention: 9 Africa: M'jahed Younouss, Morocco Asia: Seh Yong Lee, Korea REGIONAL RESERVE ADVISERS REGIONAL ADVISERS 245 Latin America 224 1. Roberto Mejla Alarcón, Perú 2. Ileana Rojas Garro, Costa Rica 140 122 Europe: Hans Verploeg, the Netherlands L. America: Osvaldo Urriolbeitia, Argentina N. America: Chantale Larouche, Canada Oceania: Tony Wilton, New Zealand 223 209 North America 231 1. Arnold Amber, Canada TNG 2. Jonathan Tasini, USA NWU 116 110 218 Oceania ADVISERS Kabral Blay- Amihere, Ghana Jagoda Vukusic, Croatia Yoshitane Okuda, Japan 218 1. Barry Porter, Australia 2. Jane Singleton, Australia 116 114 207 Asia 202 1. Seok- Jae Kang, Korea KCPJU 2. Suresh Akhouri, India IJU 121 110 Soren Wormslev, Denmark 200 Gregorio Salazar, Venezuela 194 Africa Juan Antonio Prieto, Spain FAPE 186 1. Herbert Lumansi, Uganda 2. Kalifa Yacouba, Niger 148 106 Hashhuu Naranjargal, Mongolia 179 Mario Guastoni, France 175 Europe Agreed: Jim Boumelha, NUJ Great Britain Ireland 155 Farhana Ismail, South Africa MWASA 146 1. Vsevolod Bogdanov, Russia 2. Alf Lindberg, Sweden not elected Vsevolod Bogdanov, Russia 127 Naem Toubassi, Palestine 118 Amon Kapeliuk, Israel 105 Mohamed Ben Salah, Tunisia 69 Sam Sole, South Africa, SAUJ 62 Andreas Kannaouros, Cyprus Rampholo Molefhe, Botswana 59 52 the next Congress and confirmed that the meeting would be held in Seoul in 2001. The president of the Korean delegation Mr Sung- Boo Cho welcomed the decision and promised a memorable event. The NUJ Great Britain Ireland formally invited the IFJ to hold the Congress of 2004 in Ireland. The JUADN of Greece also invited the IFJ to hold the Congress of 2004 in Greece. They demanded that in future there would be a clear and transparent procedure for observers in light of the motion adopted on women representation within the IFJ. The General Secretary explained the previous procedure about which the Executive Committee did not feel comfortable. As a result in this Congress a verification group had been established to ensure that there were candidates for all vacancies. 12. Other Matters FRENCH UNIONS( CGT, SNJ, CFDT)- proposed that on December 10th 1998, the IFJ should organise an event to commemorate the signing of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. The NUJ in Great Britain and Ireland raised a point of order on the question of the Executive Committee to co- opt observers. 13. Closing Ceremony THE NEWLY- ELECTED PRESIDENT took the chair on the invitation of the Presidium. He thanked warmly the Congress organisers, the IFJ Secretariat, the interpreters and the delegates, all of whom had contributed to a memorable and historic meeting of the IFJ. The Congress was then formally closed. 22 23 av Executive Commit roposal on lis 30 2915 phiz D.E msw would nsmul no noi 11. Place of 16 of asiv2 я? 2389 seongreas назд 33 on A by ent. 28321v0A med. 6 bezimong bris 15910( UM. 9dT setheplo Working for Journalists around the World. pol Constitution 2721150 as adopted by the XXIII IFJ Congress held in Recife, Brasil, 1998 219dmem not ed гло 8. Except as -lot With the assista dtiv IFJ FU IJF bris bins bloqu 9df of odw Federation retary in the aid to neg Dership muoj to noi2291 made for the G to taom di mont escribed formany bevotamer Z 8101 decCONSTITUTION Constitution 1. 2. Section IoW 9dt b Title and Headquarters THE NAME of the organisation is the International Federation of Journalists. Its headquarters will be based in a place determined from time to time by the Congress. Section II Character THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION of Journalists is a confederation of journalists' trade unions. It has been created to deal with matters related to trade unionism and the practice of the profession of journalism. It is established in the context of support for pluralist democracy and fundamental human rights. It is independent of all ideological, political, governmental and religious bodies. It represents and assists its member organisations and has continental and regional groups made up of those member organisations. Section III Objects 3. THE AIMS and objectives of the Federation are: a. to protect and strengthen the rights and freedoms of journalists; b. to respect and defend freedom of information, media freedom and the independence of journalism; c. to uphold and improve professional standards; d. to improve conditions of work, and to encourage and support member unions in collective bargaining; e. to promote co- operation between member unions, and to support trade union development, by means of the organisation of continental and regional groups; f. to promote and maintain editorial democracy; 4. g. to promote the social role of journalists and the profession of journalism, particularly its contribution to democracy and freedom; h. to encourage the provision of professional and trade union training for journalists; i. to co- ordinate action to ensure the safety of journalists; j. to encourage member unions to provide goodwill and assistance for members. of other member unions who may be working in their territories; k. to establish and maintain close relations with relevant international, government and non- government organisations in pursuit of these objects; 1. to fight for authors' rights and international reimbursement systems. Section IV Membership THE FEDERATION may admit to full membership national trade unions whose constitutions and activities are consistent with the character and objects of the Federation and which conform to the following definitions: a. It is a journalists' trade union; that is, a democratic organisation whose primary functions are to defend, maintain and advance( particularly by collective bargaining) the professional, ethical, moral and material rights of journalists. For the purposes of this definition, a journalist is one who devotes the greater part of his/ her working time to the profession of journalism and who derives from it most of his/ her income being employed or working as a freelance. b. It is devoted to journalistic and media freedom; that is, in accordance with the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, freedom in the collection and dissemination of information by all forms of media, and free CONSTITUTION Constitution Herz dom of journalists to express opinion Her and comment, including the freedom. exe to criticise and oppose governments, political and economic bodies whether public or private. 5. Membership of the Federation is not bs open to journalists' unions which include pemployers in their regular membership, lled nor to non- union organisations which optriperate in specific sectors of the profession. 6. When a union admitted to the Federation 10. The Executive Committee shall consider each application. It may, provided twothirds of Executive Committee members present vote in favour, admit an applicant to Full membership or Associate membership. It may reject an application or defer an application for further consideration at its next meeting. 11. An applicant whose application is rejected by the Executive Committee may appeal against that decision to the next is organised on an industrial basis its Congress. Any three member unions who membership shall be recognised only in srelation to the number of its members dos who are journalists. 7. National organisations of journalists which are not journalists' trade unions as defined in paragraph 4( a), but which are devoted to media freedom as defined in paragraph 4( b), may be admitted as Associate Members. lsda 8. Except as specified by this Constitution, Associate Members may participate in all Federation activities. They may be represented at Congress by one delegate but shall not have the right to vote, or to nominate or be nominated for office. With the assistance of the Federation, Associate Members shall do all in their power to attain and conform with the bu conditions of Full membership and shall, when appropriate, seek Full membership. Section V 60 Application for Membership 9. AN APPLICATION for membership of the Federation shall be made to the General Secretary in the prescribed form and shall be accompanied by the Constitution of the applicant organisation. The General Secretary shall advise all member unions of each membership application. disagree with an Executive Committee decision to admit an applicant to memmbership may appeal against that decision. to the next Congress. In either case the appeal must be lodged in writing with the General Secretary within three months of the decision being notified. 12. The procedure for changing the status of an Associate member to Full membership shall be the same as that prescribed in the preceding articles. Section VI Expulsion and Resignation 13. A MEMBER UNION may be expelled from membership by decision of Congress if: stea. It no longer meets the conditions of membership as set out in Article 4 of this Constitution, or; b. It acts in a manner contrary to the principles or objects or in a manner likely to damage the interests of the Federation, or; c. It is more than 12 months late in paying its membership fees. 14. A provisional decision to expel a member may be made by the Executive Committee after a proper investigation of the circumstances and provided two- thirds of Committee members present vote to do so. Any such decision shall be notified immediately to the member in question. The member may appeal against the deci Constitution sion to the next Congress, which shall confirm or reverse the decision, but in the meantime the member shall be suspended from membership. no favour. The Executive Committee shall mo convene an extraordinary Congress if half of the Federation's Full members make such a demand in writing. soiloq sopilduprofe Member unions shall be advised of the place and dates of the normal Congress meeting not less than 12 months in adivance of the start of the meeting. -qo Invitations and a provisional agenda shall no be sent to members not less than eight months in advance, and working docu15. Any member union may resign from the 20. Federation by giving six months' notice into writing to the General Secretary. Section VII Congress 16. CONGRESS is the supreme governing body ments not less than two months in adof the Federation. 17. Congress is composed of delegates from the Full member unions and the Associate er members. Full members shall be entitled to appoint delegates on a national basis, and shall have votes at Congress, according to the following scale: Up to 600 members 2 delegates/ votes Up to 1,200 members 3 delegates/ votes Up to 2,400 members Up to 4,800 members 4 delegates/ votes Up to 8,000 members 5 delegates/ votes 6 delegates/ votes 916 vance, of the start of the Congress. 21. Proposals from member unions must be submitted to the General Secretary not less than five months before the start of Congress, except where this Constitution specifically provides otherwise. Proposals to amend this Constitution or to dissolve the Federation may be submitted only in accordance with the procedure set out in Section X. Proposals submitted out of no time may be considered by Congress only 416 if a majority of voting delegates agree. 22. Notice of an extraordinary Congress shall Up to 12,000 members bris( 7 delegates/ votes be sent to member unions not less than six weeks before the opening of such Congress. 23. The Congress at its normal meetings shall: a. Elect a Congress Presidium; b. Adopt Working Rules for the conduct qiz of Congress; 18. Where there is more than one Full member union from the same nation, the total number of delegates/ votes to which they are entitled shall be based on their total membership numbers. In such cases the unions will decide among themselves how to apportion the votes and, no later than two weeks before Congress begins, shall inform the General Secretary of their decision. If the unions cannot agree, the edCongress Presidium shall apportion the 19 d. Receive, discuss and vote on a report votes according to the number of mem- 16d2bfrom the General Secretary on behalf bbers of each union. The Presidium's deci- to no of the Executive Committee, and a resion may not be altered during Congress. 19. Congress shall normally meet every third year. The Executive Committee may convene an extraordinary Congress at any time if two- thirds of its members vote in c. Establish such Congress Commissions, working groups and/ or procedures as are necessary for the efficient conduct of Congress and to assist the participation of delegates; port from the Honorary Treasurer on enoin the finances of the Federation; e. Decide on appeals on matters of membership; f. Decide on proposals to amend the Constitution; Constitution CONSTITUTION Walig. Determine a financial strategy for the onivonext three- year Congress period; h. Decide on Full membership and Assoviet ciate membership fees for the followeneving three- year Congress period; -moi. Determine policies and the programme of activity for the following three- year be period; -930 j. Decide on proposals submitted for the agenda by member unions; 431k. Elect the Officers of the Federation and bate the other members of the Executive Committee as provided in Section VIII. be 24. Decisions of the Congress are made by a simple majority of votes cast, except wit where a two- thirds majority of votes cast is required. Two- thirds majority is required: a. To adopt a proposal to amend this Constitution; b. To determine the financial strategy; Jac. To decide membership fees. A two- thirds majority of all votes represented at Congress shall be required to adopt a proposal to dissolve the Federation. 25. All elections at Congress are by secret baledlot and shall be conducted by the 2190 Congress Presidium in accordance with -up the Working Rules. 4s heifteno yd Section VIII nwo Executive Committee, Officers and Administrative Committee Exe 26. BETWEEN CONGRESSES the Executive Committee is the governing body of the 9 Federation. It consists of the Officers and 16 other members and is elected by Congress. It shall meet at least twice a year. A quorum of 11 voting members 4er shall be required for decisions to be valid. The Committee shall establish its own god working rules and procedures within the framework of the Constitution. 27. The Executive Committee is responsible for ensuring that the policies and activities of the Federation are carried out in line with Congress decisions, and shall report on its work to Congress. 28. The Officers of the Federation are the d President, the Senior Vice- President, two Vice- Presidents and the Honorary Treasurer. They are elected by Congress from nominations made by full member unions. Candidates must be part of their union's delegation. No more than one Officer may be elected from any member union or nation. 29. In addition to the Officers, the Congress elects 16 members of the Executive Committee in accordance with the following provisions: a. Nominations may be made by full member unions, and candidates must be part of their union's delegation; mb. No fewer than two members shall be vd be elected from each of the Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America regions; and no fewer than one member from each of the North America and Oceania regions; c. No more than one member may be elected from any member union or nation. 30. Congress also elects two reserve committee members from each region and two further reserves not bound by any geographical criteria. The reserve receiving the greater number of votes in each case shall be considered the first reserve. If a member is unable to participate in a meeting of the Executive Committee he/ she must inform the General Secretary at least four weeks before the meeting. The General Secretary shall then call the no appropriate reserve to participate in the evil meeting. In such circumstances the redeserve shall have all the rights, duties and art powers of a member of the Executive Committee. IV V Constitution 31. If following their election any Officer or member of the Executive Committee a. dies; or b. resigns from the Executive Committee; or art Actions of the Administrative Committee shall be confirmed at the following Executive Committee meeting. 35. The President is the leading representative of the Federation. He/ she shall convene c. in the opinion of four- fifths of the Exec- emand chair meetings of the Executive Comutive Committee has become ineligible to hold office in terms of this Constitution. He/ she shall be succeeded by the appropriate first reserve( the second reserve thereby becoming the first reserve). If there is no appropriate reserve a replacement shall be elected by a postal/ facsimile ballot in a manner determined by the 2291 Executive Committee; provided that the Executive Committee may decide not to fill a vacancy if it occurs within a year of the next Congress. 32. The General Secretary is a non- voting member of the Executive Committee. 33. The Executive Committee appoints members of working parties established by boo Congress to further the activities of the Federation. At least one Executive Committee member shall serve on each working party, and shall be responsible for effective liaison between the working party and the Executive Committee. 34. The President, the Senior Vice- President, the Vice- Presidents and the Honorary ow Treasurer together with the General Secretary constitute the Administrative pni Committee. The Administrative Committee shall: bris mittee and the Administrative Committee. 36. The Senior Vice- President and the VicePresidents assist the President in carrying out his/ her duties and shall, in order, replace the President if he/ she is prevented from carrying out those duties. 37. The Honorary Treasurer supervises the financial policies and performance of the 126 Federation and reports to the Executive Committee and Congress on those matters. 38. The General Secretary is the Chief Executive Officer of the Federation. He/ she is appointed by the Executive Committee and is responsible to that committee. Section IX Continental and Regional Groups 39. CONTINENTAL and regional groups may be set up by affiliate and associate members of the Federation. Such groups may regulate their own activities provided they are in accordance with this Constitution and are consistent with policies established by Congress. a. supervise the Federation activities of the General Secretary and deal with fi991nancial matters, membership ques- rit tions, matters of concern and prepare ppits wider policy issues for discussion by the Executive Committee; and 9 b. otherwise act for the Federation between meetings of the Executive bris Committee within the policies estabevituslished by the Congress and the Executive Committee. Section X Finance 40. CONGRESS shall determine the basis for the yd calculation of membership fees and shall decide the membership fees payable by 219 Full Members and by Associate Members bit of the Federation. Membership fees shall aw be paid in the currency of the nation in which the headquarters of the Federation is situated. Constitution 41. The financial year of the Federation is from January 1 to December 31. 42. Membership fees for a financial year are due and payable by April 30 of that year unless the Executive Committee decides otherwise. Members admitted to the Federation during a year shall pay membership fees for that year on a pro rata. calculation for the unexpired period of the year. 43. Membership fees are paid according to the number of regular members declared by unions up to a maximum figure which is determined by Congress. For the current Congress period the maximum is 17,000 members. 44. Any member union which is more than six months in arrears with the payment of its membership fees shall be reported to the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee may direct that the services of the Federation be withdrawn from any such member union. 45. Any member union which is more than 12 months in arrears with the payment of its membership fees, or with money due for the supply of International Press Cards, shall have no voting rights at Congress. Any such member union may also be expelled from the Federation by Congress or by the Executive Committee. 46. The expenses of delegates to Congress and of members of the Executive Committee and working parties are paid by their member unions unless otherwise decided by the Executive Committee. Congress. Every such proposal must specify precisely the amendment sought, and should be accompanied by a brief explanation of the reason for the amendment. The General Secretary shall immediately forward copies of the proposal and explanatory material to all member unions. 48. A proposal to amend the Constitution is carried only if it is supported by twothirds of the votes cast at Congress. 49. A proposal to dissolve the Federation must be submitted and dealt with in the same manner as a proposal to amend the Constitution. However, such a proposal is carried only if it is supported by twothirds of all the votes represented at Congress. 50. In the event that Congress decides to dissolve the Federation, all liabilities of the Federation shall be discharged. Any remaining assets shall then be divided among the unions which were members at the time of the decision to dissolve, in proportion to their membership fees for the current year. If there are insufficient assets to meet the Federation's liabilities, the outstanding liabilities shall be met by the member unions in similar proportion. Section XII Miscellaneous 51. MATTERS not provided for in this Constitution shall be decided by Congress or, if they arise between Congress meetings, by the Executive Committee.metal 52. This Constitution shall at all times be interpreted and applied in a manner which avoids undue technicality and which best maintains and promotes the character and objects of the Federation. 财 CONSTITUTION Section XI Amendment of the Constitution and Dissolution 47. PROPOSALS to amend this Constitution must be submitted in writing to the General Secretary no later than six months before the opening day of Published By Order of the Executive Committee Brussels, May 1998 VI VII International Federation Sec of Journalists ior Vice Presi ers, membership 266 rue Royale 1210 Brussels Belgium Telephone:+ 32-2 223 22 65 Telefax:+ 32-2 219 29 76 E- mail: ifj@pophost.eunet.be http://www.ifj.org CODC 91 policie SA and the Vice159V 910 in ca inu yd 2291pho bance of the 219dm9m 5m # sdl2 299 cer derati 295192.9 snt iw ed noisebel sponsible 10 22910 Groups lqquz er not nitov on 9vsd'lledź groups may be -x9 90 0.15 nolaudem noua vnA 229 affiliate deration ate members belleq Athom FREE 2A Resolutions International Federation of Journalists. CO Resolutions Adopted by the XXIII IFJ Congress held in Recife, Brasil, 1998 PALESTINE The 22616h the har Septen conde last februar by Israeli Cong prote wh Congress welcom this aniton quoted 19yo 102 shew ddeuq 291612 A to ac misdi IFJ 2 FIP UF sw of* 33 Resolutions INFORMATION ON CHIAPAS The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 1998 noting the attacks on press freedom and free circulation of journalists, the detention of photographers from France Presse and Associated Press in Tuxla- Gutierrze( Chiapas); al noting the restriction in the activities of radios in the countryside of Chiapas; ⚫noting the paralysis of the peace process; ⚫ expresses its protest and its concern to the Mexican President Dr. Ernesto Zedillo. The Congress Presidium shall remit this resolution to the Consul in Recife. Congress further calls on IFJ member unions to send out protest letters. gee 22910 IXX 1029A vd betqobA SOLIDARITY WITH PERUVIAN JOURNALISTS The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 1998 Considering: that over the first four months of 1998 the journalists Isabel Chumpitaz Panta and Jose Amaya Jacinto, respectively director and producer of the radio programme" La voz del pueblo", were assassinated and that an attempt to assassinate the journalist Walter Chumpitaz Panta, director of the radio programme" Sombrero de paja" was perpetrated in the Piura district; that over the same period the journalists of the newspaper" La Republica" from Lima, Angel Paez, Edmundo Cruz and Fernando Rospigliosi, were harassed following their investigations of the current gouvernment public administration; that similarly the director of this newspaper, Gustavo Mohme Llona and the journalist Cesar Hildebrandt from the TV Canal 13 and many other journalists of the interior of Peru are being constantly threatened of murder with a view to imposing selfcensorship and avoiding that be unveiled acts of corruption of civil servants; ⚫that this escalation of attacks against a sector of the Peruvian journalism follows up to other crimes registered in 1997 which have converted Peru in one of the most risky country for the exercise of the profession in Latin America, rivalling with Colombia, Mexico and Guatemala. Congress agrees: ⚫ to express its solidarity with the Peruvian journalists in danger and to pay a tribute to the faithful fulfilment of their social commitment; ⚫ to denounce the intolerance of those who threaten, attack and kill journalists ignoring the fact that the freedom of expression is fundamental to any democratic society; • to warn the world community against the impunity of such actions and to initiate as promptly as possible the relevant investigations with a view to submit well documented denunciations to international organisations such as the United Nations and the Organisation of American States and thereby put an end to these crimes. Resolutions FREE THE KENYAN AIRWAVESЈОТИ СИА AIBO The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 1998-9229100 ⚫ disturbed by the current method of distributing broadcast licences in Kenya; • shocked by death threats against those involved in the legitimate distribution of shares in existing licence holders; • concerned at the lack of transparency in the distribution process; • concerned at the arbitrary withdrawal of licenses; considering that the allocation of licenses is dependent on editorial content; calls on the IFJ, in co- operation with the KUJ to: 1. campaign for the equal and unbiased allocation of broadcast licenses in Kenya; 2. monitor and react to abuses of the allocation process. PALESTINE The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 1998 ibliud ⚫ notes that, despite the peace process, Palestinian journalists are still suffering the brunt of Israeli occupation; ⚫ notes with concern that 47 Palestinian journalists and photographers have been injured at the hands of the Israeli authorities since the opening of the tunnel in Jerusalem in September 26th, and; condemns the aggression against Palestinian journalists, in particular the random shooting, last February, of journalists and camera crews in Hebron where ten journalists were injured by Israeli army bullets. Congress supports the efforts of the IFJ affiliate, the Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate, to protect its members and represent their interests. To this end, Congress demands: ⚫ that the Israeli authorities lift the restriction on the movement of Palestinian journalists which are a threat to press freedom and a huge obstacle for the Syndicate to function as a normal trade union; ⚫that the Israeli government recognises the IFJ press cards when carried by Palestinian journalists and insists that they are treated like their Israeli and foreign colleagues. Congress further welcomes the official protests of the National Federation of Israel journalists against the attacks in Hebron. Congress welcomes the proposals by the Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate to set up a Palestinian information centre in Jerusalem where the majority of the Palestinian press is based. Congress equally welcomes the establishment of 26th September as Palestinian Pressu Freedom Day and calls on all IFJ affiliates to support their Palestinian colleagues in making this event a regular successful event in the calendar of the world community of journalists. the the 34 35 Resolutions RACISM, XENOPHOBIA AND INTOLERANCEAWRIA НАУИЗ" энт азя? The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 199899m 2291p0) LIES AT noting with alarm the rise in racism and extremist political movements which try to teib⚫ manipulate media and use information in the prosecution of civil conflict and regional ora disputes; • welcoming the decision of the IFJ Executive Committee to hold the international conference Prime Time for Tolerance in Bilbao in May 1997 with the support of the IFJ affiliate ELA- STV; endorsing the conclusions of the Bilbao Declaration; ⚫ instructs the Executive Committee to work towards achieving the objectives of the Declaration and to give further priority to this activity in the coming period and to widen the scope of the work to embrace all regions of the world, and; • agrees that the campaign should be practical and involve a concrete programme of action including: 49 1. building upon the social dialogue agreement with publishers and broadcasters in Europe to promote joint actions in all regions of the world enhancing the role of media in combating racism and raising awareness among journalists of the dangers of community conflict; 2. supporting conferences and workshops to examine employment and training policies as they affect media workers and journalists from minority communities; 3. setting up an international network of media professionals and organisations active in the field and representing minority communities using the model of the International Media Working Group Against Racism and Xenophobia. VIOLATION OF JOURNALISTS' RIGHTS IN INDIA The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 1998 ⚫ noting with serious concern continued violation of the journalists' right to report the truth • in situations of armed conflict between a) the state and insurgents, b) between ethnic groups and c) between terrorists and their targets; believing that journalists are often caught in cross- fire between these sides and are subject to all kinds of harassment, threats and even their physical elimination and thus are prevented by both sides to perform their journalistic work freely; strongly condemns all of these violations of journalists' rights. The Congress calls upon all IFJ affiliates to submit to the secretariat an annual report on this situation which will prepare and publish a comprehensive index and take the matter with respective Governments to ensure that journalists are allowed to report the conflict situations without hinder of any kind and from any side. Resolutions WOMEN RIGHTS IN THE MEDIA I MOLTAUTIZ SHE 83 The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 1998 ⚫ noting that this year the entire world is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Human Rights Declaration; ⚫ noting that these rights are indivisible and equal but, in many countries of the world, women are regarded as second- rate citizens, particularly in Middle East countries, Asia and North Africa(" the Maghreb"); ⚫noting that women are taking part and are active in all fields, heads of households in many societies, ministers in some countries, they only benefit from a minor status; invites the newly- elected IFJ Executive Committee; 1. to strengthen IFJ action for a better understanding of women's contribution in the development process in third- world countries in general and in the above mentioned countries in particular; 2. to work towards allowing women journalists to benefit from the same rights as their male colleagues in the access to leading positions within the media; 3. to consider as an IFJ priority the awareness raising in media of women's rights notably in countries where they are considered as scapegoats by extreme groups holding abs women responsible for all of societies' problems. SPECIFIC NEEDS IN MONGOLIA The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 1998 · ⚫ noting that free press and freedom of the press, the cornerstone and the nucleus of democracy and human rights, are being established in various parts of the globe under different circumstances and at various levels; • given the specific features of the continents, regions and countries, the difference in their levels of development, and the differing pace, scale and scope of democratic reforms, the challenges being encountered in promoting free press, strengthening freedom of press, and the ways and means these challenges are being address vary accordingly; • instructs the Executive Committee of the IFJ to take into account the above differences and to select the methods tailored to individuals needs and requirements in its future policy and actions. CYPRUS The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 1998 10-2/ itslov • recalling the resolution of the previous Congress on Cyprus; . • reiterating its concern about the continuing, for 24 years now, division of Cyprus preventing, inter alia, Cypriot journalists from moving all over their island and carrying out their mission and their daily assignments; agrees to BnA ⚫supports the demand and efforts of the Union of Cyprus Journalists for the restoration of the unity and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus which will greatly serve the interests and rights of journalists and the Cypriot people in general as well as the cause of peace, security and stability in the sensitive Middle East area and in Europe at large. 36 37 Resolutions IFJ APPEAL OVER THE SITUATION IN LATIN AMERICA The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 1998 Considering that the journalistic activity in the region of Latin America finds itself confronted by serious violations of fundamental rights of journalists, in the form of assassinations of professionals in retaliation for investigative reporting; Considering also that the regional situation regularly experiences with near uniformity the paralysis of the investigations, officially inconclusive reports and the virtual immunity of actual assassinations and their intellectual authors; Taking into account the above as illustrated by the following examples: • In Paraguay, where since the 26th April 1991 the assassination of our colleague Santiago Leguizamon, fatally shot on the Day of the Journalist in Pedro Juan Caballero. In addition, neither the national police nor the courts have advanced the effort to find and punish the actual and intellectual perpetrators. • In Salvador, where in spite of the initiation of the peace process, in the third quarter of 1997, the assassination of Lorena Saravia, was recorded. She was an announcer for the radio station RCS, and she was carrying out investigations regarding the drug traffic. The investigative judge has ordered various arrests but the courts have been asked to drop the charges so far, threatening the entire process. Those who have been implicated are agents and officials of the National Civil Police. In Argentina, where in January 1997 Jose Luis Cabeza was kidnapped, assassinated and his body burned. The judicial investigation already has made five arrests after having suffered various irregularities such as the disappearance of evidence, the erasure of fingerprints and even alteration of the corpse. The accused of the act itself is a police officer and so far there has been no success to name the intellectual authors. • In Peru: a country where since 1982 53 professionals have been assassinated and where in the present year 1998 have been registered the assassinations of journalists Isabel Chutipaz Panta and Jose Amaya Jacinto, and also the attempted assassination of journalist Walter Chumpitaz Pantam, in which instance the original investigation has the instructions to make an investigation as if were an ordinary misdemeanour. Congress agrees on the need to assist Latin American journalists, given the fact that without justice there is no democracy, and given that the IFJ has declared that" there cannot be press freedom if journalists must carry out their profession in an atmosphere of corruption poverty and fear." Congress instructs the EC of the IFJ to set up an investigative commission, taking testimony and following the situation in the countries mentioned, likewise in any other country of the region in which similar conditions are observed. And further instructs the EC of the IFJ to petition and submit complaints for violations of conventions and treaties to the Interamerican Human Rights Convention of the UN. to noi bns Resolutions SITUATION IN GUATEMALA The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 1998 ⚫ noting that a constant struggle has been waged in Guatemala to safeguard freedom of expression- a struggle in which many journalists have lost their lives, others have been exiled and those that remain have had to practice their profession in a climate of fear and insecurity; ⚫noting that despite the democratic process launched in 1985, the free expression of • thought has been threatened by new measures seeking to silence the media; in believing that the current government of Alvaro Arz has brought pressure to bear in the following ways: 1. a campaign targeting advertisers discouraging them from placing advertisements in any anti- government media; 2. tax terrorism, i.e. of the constant presence of tax inspectors in those advertising companies that refuse to bow to government pressure; 3. the use of government- controlled media to attack the independent press; 4. the awarding of a major proportion of the government advertising budget to companies belonging to officials and members of their families; 5. attacks on the Guatemalan human rights office, which defends freedom of expression To and the right to information; ⚫ agreeing that these acts affect the freedom and right to work of workers in the news media and the advertising industry; affect the right of the citizens to have access to an independent media; affect the right of advertisers to advertise without fear of reprisals; and affect the right to create and maintain new forms of news media. Congress therefore: bes ⚫ condemns the action taken against the independent press by the Alvaro Arz government; ⚫calls on advertisers not to let themselves be intimated by government pressure; • demands an end to the action taken against journalists and media critical of the ment; govern• further demands that the Alvaro Arz government ceases its action to oppose the decisions of the human rights office; • calls on the people of Guatemala to support the work of the independent press; • and declares that it will remain watchful and will keep the international community informed of the situation of the press in Guatemala if these outrages do not stop. noting been gf no 9215) lliw dbir oined nions level lenoirem blude) lliw rbirtw bris ano hoqqua adhi sonsbitrio bilduq wźnoinu 19dmem not การ ศึ การ สาด นี้ 38 39 Resolutions ETHICS OF JOURNALISM MI MOITAUTI The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 1998 99m 2291p000 PEST deploring the continued evidence that many governments continue to apply censorship or pressure on journalists to act as propagandists in the service of political objectives; aware, too, of growing evidence that excessive commercialisation in media is driving elixe down standards of journalism and undermining public confidence in the" watchdog" role of journalism in democratic society; condemning the actions of transnational media organisations such as News Corporation, which has practised censorship in its book publishing, newspaper, film production and television companies around the world to promote its commercial interests, notably in Guinea where journalists are thrown in jail for their professional activity; • concerned at the decline of investment in professional training and cuts in news- room budgets which are affecting the scope and depth of journalistic coverage, ⚫ concerned also at calls from public figures and politicians in the European Parliament and national legislatures for laws to prevent journalists enquiring into their affairs, or taking photographs of them, in the name of protecting their privacy, particularly after the death of the Princess of Wales in Paris in 1997; . appalled that mainstream newspapers in the United States have adopted policies of " breaking down barriers" between advertising departments and the newsroom leading to the resignation of senior journalists concerned that standards will plummet as a result; welcoming signs that many media organisations share the concerns of journalists over these trends in media, and; noting, in particular, the joint statements signed in 1997 with newspaper publishers in Europe( European Newspaper Publishers Association) and broadcasters( European 2291 Broadcasting Union) which reaffirm the need for ethical conduct in journalism and the need for high standards in reporting, recruitment and training in matters related to racism and intolerance • declares: 1. that the setting of ethical standards of journalism should be the responsibility of jourConnalists alone and must be reinforced as a matter of urgency; 2. that governments and political authorities have no role to play in defining or controlling the content of journalism other than to apply general law as it affects all citizens and to apply public broadcasting regulation which is freely entered into media professional organisations; 3. that standards of journalism must not be sacrificed in the rush to exploit media markets. Congress reaffirms that the self- regulation provides the most effective and least dangerous form of supervision of ethical conduct in journalism, but believes this can only be so if the following conditions apply: ⚫there is legal framework which guarantees freedom of expression and the public right to information; . all official obstacles to the exercise of journalism and the operation of independent media are removed; journalists are assured of editorial independence and their right to act according to conscience and in defence of their codes of professional conduct. The Congress instructs the Executive Committee to campaign for these objectives at international level and, in particular, to carry out activities which will raise awareness on the need for high ethical standards among journalists and media organisations and which will rebuild public confidence in the vital contribution that free media make to democracy. The Congress further instructs the Executive Committee to organise international support for member unions when they face political or legislative moves to curb the right to report. Resolutions SAFETY OF JOURNALISTS измяб Џиго The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 1998 deploring the continued evidence of violence against our colleagues recorded by the IFJ and the failure of governments and international organisations to give priority to thes defence of journalists in the struggle for human rights and freedom of expression; • condemning also those media organisations which contribute to the perilous situation of journalists by unprofessional activity, excessive competition and a failure to provide pot resources for the training and protection of journalists; ⚫believing that more must be done to provide practical assistance to journalists on dangerous assignments and to journalists living and working in areas of conflict; • welcomes the adoption of a draft International Safety Code by the Executive Committee and; ⚫ calls upon all member unions of the IFJ to promote the Code and to support the activities of the IFJ programme in defence of journalists and, in particular, to support the IFJ Safety Fund which, since its establishment in 1990 has provided a lifeline to journalists in need. rights which apply tional companies HUMAN RIGHTS The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 1998 • • noting that 1998 is the 50th anniversary year of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; welcoming the Executive Committee proposal to amend the IFJ Constitution to include the defence of fundamental human rights as a founding principle of the Federation; recognising that freedom of the press and independent journalism depends upon respect for human rights; • instructs the Executive Committee to work closely with other professional organisations and relevant agencies of the United Nations: 1. to promote awareness among journalists and media in general of the importance of high standards of journalism in defence of human rights, and; 2. to encourage the reporting of abuses of human rights wherever they take place. TURKEY The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 1998 recognising the appeals for support from colleagues in Turkey and Turkish Kurdistan; noting that our IFJ colleagues from Turkey are not present at Congress and that Kurdish Journalists Union could not affiliate to the IFJ; ⚫ calls on the IFJ to pressure the Turkish government into granting the following: 1. freedom of movement for Turkish, Kurdish an foreign journalists in all parts of Turkey including the areas under emergency rule; 2. freedom of expression in all communications, private and public; 3. an end to murder, torture, imprisonment, harassment and intimidation of journalists and other professionals in the media, information and communication sector; 4. the release of imprisoned journalists, who have been sentenced because of their work as professionals. que isnoiter 40 41 Resolutions العيد JOURNALISTS' MISCONDUCT IN FORMER YUGOSLAVIA OLO The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 1998 9m 2299 • condemning those journalists who voluntarily and consciously accept the use of the profession for propaganda of one party or a regime; condemning media workers who consciously and voluntarily agree to let their professional work be used for promotion of the ideas of racism, xenophobia and nationalism, together with the active promotion of hatred and intolerance including the physical elimination of individuals and groups of other nationalities; deploring the practice of journalists propelling propaganda against democratic forces such as opposition parties, independent trade unions, associations of civil society, independent media and their associations; • reconfirms the decision adopted at the 22nd IFJ Congress in Santander to establish a multinational IFJ body, to monitor cases of such professional abuses in the countries affected by the war in former Yugoslavia. HUMAN RIGHTS, WOMEN AND THE IFJ The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 1998 • Declares its clear commitment to the specific representation and participation of women. in all its committees and fora as an integral part of its determination to work for a human rights and equity in its widest sense. Accordingly, the Congress resolves: 1. to instruct the Executive Committee to re- establish the working party on women set up perin Montreal to co- ordinate activity with the initial meeting to be held in 1998; 2. to instruct the General Secretary in consultation with regions and working party members to prepare a strategy on practical activities to enhance the position of women in the media; anoits batinU 3. to authorise the Executive Committee to co- opt to each of its meeting two women journalists as observers with full participation rights excluding the right to vote; 4. to direct the General Secretary to include a section in his or her report to Congress on specific actions taken to enhance the participation, representation of and support for women in the media. On that basis, the Congress: ⚫instructs the Executive Committee to examine possible procedural changes and proposals for the working rules that would secure more women delegates, women candidates and women elected officers at future Congresses. folley The for high public The Congo for member Resolutions GLOBALISATION AND JOURNALISTS' UNIONS The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 1998 • considering that the United Nations reports an ever- widening gulf between the rich and poor and that the Human Development Report of the United Nations last year indicates that the concentration of wealth and power is accelerating; concerned by the dangers of cultural uniformity and pressure on language and identity. through globalisation of the media; ⚫alarmed that the quest for making profit can influence negatively on the conditions of an independent and critical journalism; • recognising that the global economy is largely outside the orbit of democratic accountability, is fundamentally unstable and has no social dimension nor a strong framework for regulation; • aware of the growing importance of the global media economy and growth of powerful transnational enterprises in the field of information, communications and mass media; ⚫ deploring the fact that of the 178 international codes of conduct on social and cultural rights which apply across different sectors of the world economy, not one involves transnational companies in the field of information, media or journalism; • believing therefore, that urgent action is required by the trade union movement in the mass media, to defend employment and social conditions, to maintain respect for human rights, to fight further concentration and monopolisation in the media that limits plurality and democracy; ⚫ instructs the Executive Committee to campaign vigorously in support of the following objectives: 1. to create effective transnational structures for social dialogue which give media union othe representatives rights to information, consultation and negotiation; 2. to develop international and national labour standards and collective agreement between media employers and the workers and provide for free expression and journalistic independence; ERGENCE 3. to consider concrete projects that establishes links between media and communication unions in transnational companies; 4. to create mechanisms of monitoring the globalisation of media and thus provide media unions with tools and knowledge that can be used in the fight against the negative effects of transnational ownership; 5. to actively campaign against further deregulation such as that proposed through the Multi- lateral Agreement on Investment( MAI) in particular where this diminishes the ability to protect local culture and production capacity; 6. to treat authors' rights as a principal subject to defend to intensify activities to protect these rights; 7. to create mechanisms of sharing tools and knowledge that can be used to enhance nb and empower local members; Further congress urges the Executive Committee to campaign within the international community for policies and structures which will oblige transnational enterprises to respect the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the conventions and labour standards of the ILO and to establish a world- wide recognised charter of social and cultural rights which much feature in all cross- border trade agreements. 42 43 Resolutions GLOBALISATION AND CHALLENGES TO JOURNALISTS MOITAJAD AND THEIR UNIONS The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 1998 ● noting that savage cuts in salaries and jobs among journalists and media staff have followed the foreign currency and financial crisis in some countries of Asia, and, in particular; deploring the pattern of mismanagement in Korea which has cost more than 3,000 journalists and media workers their jobs in the last five months; ⚫further recognising that deregulation and liberalisation of the media market is putting unacceptable pressure on social, professional and employment rights of journalists and media workers throughout the region. resolves: ⚫that the IFJ should actively promote solidarity among trade unions within the industry and with relevant sections of civil society in support of common demands to provide protection of social and cultural values and institutions in the process of globalisation; ⚫that the IFJ should develop a programme of assistance and solidarity to strengthen the capacity of unions to organise within media. Such a package must include: H1. analysis of current conditions and advice to unions in developing medium and long term plans to focus on organisation, including setting priorities for organisation and growth; 2. a training package to help develop organising skills among officers and activists; 3. development of training- if- trainers programmes to further strengthen the work of officers and activists; 4. assistance in developing efficient union administration. that the IFJ urgently examine ways to fund this package including external sources, internal sources and direct bilateral links between unions. NEWS CORPORATION The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 1998 notes that the international activities of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation are attracting increasing criticism; Congress condemns the group's commercial and editorial practices, in particular: 1. the suppression of genuine news values in the group's commercial interest, notably regarding the cancellation of a book by the former governor of Hong Kong, and the for treatment of journalists in the US trying to report honestly about powerful commercial wo interests; officers at futu 2. the abuse of the power of News Corporation media in several countries to pressure democratic governments to bend commercial rules in its favour; 3. the abuse of market power to threaten rival publications through predatory pricing. • Congress recalls the success of the special conference of News Corporation unions held in Australia in 1989 and calls on the executive to hold another such event in 1999. of 2921 His ni Resolutions GLOBALISATION OF MEDIA ENTERPRISES: THE NEED FOR INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATION AND CONSULTATION The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 1998 • noting that during recent weeks it has become more and more obvious that media companies use the opportunity of the so- called information society to globalize their interests by take- overs and mergers. One significant example was Bertelsmann's acquisition of Random House in the USA; ⚫ believing this development also endangers the interests of journalists- employed or working as freelances. Therefore there is an increasing demand for consultation and exchange of information between media workers across borders; ⚫ recognising that a first achievement is the European directive on European Works Councils issued in 1994. A good example- on a voluntary basis- is the working group for consultation and information of workers installed at the German publishing Group Neue Passauer Presse, which is active in Germany, Austria, Poland and the Czech Republic. The World Congress instructs the Executive Committee to set up a working group which shall: 1. develop guidelines for information and consultation; 2. further strengthen efforts to establish information and consultation procedures for international media companies; 3. involve IFJ member unions in this process; 4. include members from more than one region. This can help to safeguard the ethical, professional and social standards of journalists and other media workers. MEDIA AND CONVERGENCE The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 1998 • • rejecting the notion that only the private sector has a role to play in media development, either in the field of broadcasting or information technology; believing that journalists alone cannot address the general issues of concern over the information society and that close co- operation with other media workers and representatives of trades unions in relevant sectors is needed; • instructs the Executive Committee to notify member unions of the risk of state restrictions in the new digital online services which has been unthinkable until now in the press and; ⚫ endorses the Declaration of the Executive Committee in Montreal in May 1996 as a general outline of professional and trade union policy for journalists unions. bms livi to showler's to nous913 erit 44 45 Resolutions RELATIONS WITH OTHER MEDIAWORKERS The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 1998 ● 303HT welcoming co- operation between media unions and the development of joint activities under the umbrella of the International Committee of Entertainment and Media Unions; noting, too, the continuing strong ties between the IFJ and the Media and Entertainment International; believing that more co- operation between media workers is essential to confront the technological, economic and social challenges of the years ahead; ⚫reaffirms the IFJ's commitment to the process of co- operation and urges the Executive Committee to examine, in line with the decision of the Santander Congress to support a media alliance between the IFJ and relevant organisations of media workers, what actions can be taken, in order to share activities and resources in pursuit of common objectives. PUBLIC BROADCASTING The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 1998 believing that new technological developments must, as a priority, be used to the benefit of all, and particularly communities living in the developing world which are often isolated and unable to enjoy global information resources; insisting that public service obligations in media are essential to freedom of expression and opinion and to the protection of plurality of views; • recognising the importance of solidarity within the workforce in broadcast media to protect and defend the public service role of audio- visual media and to create broadcasting structures which, through public administration and diverse and independent sources of funding which do not interfere with the editorial line, can benefit all of the community; do • agreeing that in the coexistence of public and private broadcasting, independence, plurality and variety in programming must be protected, the financial standing of public broadcasting must be secured and a framework must exist to guarantee the professional and ethical role of journalists and programme makers; Antbrisem 229 noting that the concept of" public service" must be a duty covering the public information services of all broadcasting enterprises, the private as well as the publicly- funded; ⚫deploring actions by governments which drive media towards monopoly shift power from the public to the advertiser, and undermine accountable and democratic public service broadcasting systems. We declare that it is essential to develop, within every country of the world: 1. a legal and financial framework which guarantees public service broadcasting, thus protecting the cultural and social diversity of communities; 2. regulations which support public service obligations on all media to provide reliable, accurate and quality information services available for public consumption; 3. a legal prohibition on the continued growth of private media monopolies; 4. national and international regulatory structures to protect editorial independence in broadcasting. All regulatory structures must be balanced in representation of civil and political society and not dominated by any political faction or related organisations. Congress further instructs the Executive Committee to continue to campaign vigorously in the defence of public service broadcasting in close co- operation with other trade unions in the mass media sector and to involve all regions in this work. Finally, Congress instructs the Executive Committee to organise the creation of a network of member unions operating in public broadcasting to share information and campaign around common issues of concern. WEST AFRICA MAGAZINE ги Resolutions AUC The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 1998)( RIES ST ● regretting the state into which the owners of West Africa, published in London, have on allowed the magazine to degenerate; ● ● expressing its full support for the journalists, members of the NUJ of the UK and Ireland, in their current strike action in defence of their pay and conditions and in their attempts to rescue the magazine; taking account that journalists rarely receive their pay on time, that they have to use their own equipment and that the office heating has been cut off because of the failure to pay fuel bills; noting that the magazine has debts of over$ 1.5 million and is drifting into collapse; ⚫ and further recognising the importance of West Africa as the only English- language weekly covering the continent. It has been established for 81 years and is a unique source of current and historical information. Congress agrees that: 1. West Africa would have a strong future if it was better financed and managed and; 2. calls on the to the Nigerian Government, ultimate owners of the magazine, to collaborate with the journalists in working out a plan to secure such a future. Presi also SOCIAL STATUS OF JOURNALISTS The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 1998 01612 • reaffirms that decent working conditions and remuneration for professional journalists are essential to the provision of quality information; ilmuoj to znoimus pion ⚫ notes that the purely commercial and financial considerations which rule the management of media companies are leading to the deterioration of the social status of professional journalists; noribopa pozto ⚫ notes that technological developments within companies lead to an increasing number of technical tasks being transferred to journalists; ⚫ is concerned about the continuing difficulty in obtaining or renegotiating collective working agreements which are favourable to employed journalists and decent social status for freelances. For these reasons, the 23rd IFJ Congress: 1. recommends that the Executive Committee consider the issue of the social status of professional journalists as the keystone of reliable and quality information; 2. mandates the Executive Committee to undertake actions aimed at ensuring the provision of a large amount of information to the member unions on their struggles and social gains; 3. considers necessary the putting in place on an international level of efficient collaboration with the unions of other media workers, in order to oppose the deterioration of working conditions and social deregulation. pnox phot ameldong ad Stimmo goti 916d2 of 46 47 Resolutions LABOUR RESTRICTIONS The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 1998 199m 229100 noting that journalism in Argentina is being protected by specific professional statutes providing for legal sanctions; ⚫considering that since the beginning of the decade the government of Argentina has been stating that it wanted to depart from these statutes which are in its opinion a privilege differentiating the press workers from other workers; ● ● recognising that the press workers grouped in FATPREN have been defending such standards since it is the only legal guarantee to exercise the right to receive, disseminate and investigate information and opinions with the required editorial independence; noting that in past April missions of the International Monetary Fund have strongly and precisely recommended that there be derogations to the statutes in force, more particularly those governing the press workers, reiterates its concern with the need for having legal instruments which guarantee the exercise of the right to information in decent material and intellectual conditions; further reiterates its support to FATPREN actions to safeguard the professional statutes of the press, and; requests the Argentine government to end such proposed derogations to the professional statutes of journalism. SUPPORT TO BRAZILIAN STUDENTS xpression. 10 ZUTAT2 JADO2 The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 1998 noting that the unions of journalists present at the IFJ Congress opening ceremony support the students of the Federal University of Brasil, on strike against the process of privatisation undertaken in their University and calling for better training; believing that free access to education, independently of social condition, constitute component elements of the training of citizens and democracy. agrees to support their fight. CALL FOR IFJ ACTIVITIES The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 1998 agrees that IFJ activities should be made more effective in Asia. The Congress welcomes the support of NIPPORO in Japan which organised a three- day seminar for Cambodian journalists in May 1996 in Cambodia, in co- operation with the UNESCO, for the journalistic training and which also made a financial contribution for the publication of DirectLine for Asia. Congress also notes the impact of the recent problems of economic collapse in Asia and is seriously concerned that jobs will be diminishing form the journalist sector as well, and will increase the unemployment of journalists in the future. At the same time, the multi- channel age and the introduction of television by satellite broadcasting across national borders and digital broadcasting will present journalism of 21st century in Asia with a number of unprecedented problems and challenges. Therefore, Congress agrees that the IFJ convene a regional conference mainly in Hong Kong, at least once a year, to exchange information and to make strategies about the problems particularly concerning Asia. com Resolutions PROVISIONS ON SEDITION IN UGANDA PRESS The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 1998 ⚫joins with members of the Uganda Journalists Union( UJU) and the entire journalism fraternity in Uganda in condemning in the strongest terms possible the provisions on sedition in Uganda Press and Journalists Statute 1995 which aims at curtailing press freedom and freedom of expression. ⚫ notes that sections 41, 42 and 50 of the Penal Code Act of the laws of Uganda are inconsistent with the Provisions of Article 29( 1)( a) and( b) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda which, while pretending to be protecting Journalists and ensuring Press Freedom, it instead muzzles the same freedom it is supposed to protect. • supports two petitions filed by the Uganda Journalists Safety Committee( UJSC) in the Constitution Court seeking judicial declarations on some provisions in the laws of sedition. So far one journalist Haruna Kanaabi the Editor of an Islamic Newsletter the Shariat has already been arrested, detained, charged and convicted under the law of sedition on allegation that he published and circulated seditious materials on the President of the Republic Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. There is also two other Journalists Charles Onyango Obbo and James Mwenda both working with The Monitor News paper who were arrested and charged early this year on allegation that they publishes a defamatory story on the President. Up to now the case is still pending in court. • also condemns provisions in the Press and Journalist Statute 1995 which provides the establishment of the National Institute of Journalists of Uganda( NIJU), which is empowered to register and license only those with University degrees in any profession. Other practising journalists without degrees are not regarded as journalist according to that Provision. Under this new arrangement 3/4 of the members will be thrown out of their jobs although the laws has not yet started operating. We are not against uplifting our Professionalism, but we believe that a good journalist is born but not created. We associate with our brothers and sisters in the Profession in Ethiopia, Nigeria, Algeria, Chad and others countries who are working under harassment. and we condemn those dictatorial governments doing it. ⚫the IFJ condemns the harassment of journalists and demands their release. SITUATION IN NIGER The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 1998 ⚫ has learned with great concern and indignation about the crusade by the Government of Niger against journalists from the private press in Niger. The sequestration of Moussa Tchangari, editor in chief, and the closure of the private radio" Anfany" perfectly illustrate the violations of freedom of opinion and work; . • extremely concerned by the situation in Niger, the IFJ Congress representing journalists from all over the world: 1. expresses their disagreement to the Niger government and; 2. requests the government to put an end to such practice, and finally urge it to comply to the international prescriptions in human rights issues. sril 299106: 289 48 49 Resolutions ETHIOPIA ESTRICTIONS 22389 AÐ MI The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 1998m 2290) EST ⚫ condemning the routine violent suppression and systematic destruction of the free and independent press; ⚫ condemning the fact that 17 journalists are currently in prison for exercising their profession; · • condemning the arrest and detention of officers of the EFJA; ● condemning the death of Anay Hailu in prison in 1998; considering that imprisonment is never acceptable for committing press offences; noting that Ethiopia's Constitution guarantees freedom of the press; calls on the IFJ Executive Committee to mandate the Secretariat: 1. to organise, in co- operation with international media and human rights organisations, to obtain a condemnation of the Ethiopian authorities' actions against the press from the UN Commission on Human Rights; 2. to call on the European Union, the governments of the EU and USA and other international donor organisations to make their financial and other assistance and co- operation. with the EPRDF regime conditional upon genuine respect for journalists' human rights and freedom of expression; statu 3. to call on the Ethiopian authorities to: SUP ● immediately and unconditionally release all journalists in detention; • register the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists' Association( EFJA); ● repeal the Press Law of 1992; 4. to send a mission to Ethiopia to examine the situation of journalists; 5. to consider establishing an office in Ethiopia. SOLIDARITY WITH ALGERIAN JOURNALISTS The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 1998 ⚫ notes that the IFJ is continuously concerned by the situation of Algerian colleagues victims of terror imposed by fundamentalists, repression by paramilitary groups- and the authorities' constraints and restrictions- vigorously condemns the assassination, intimidation, bannings, censorship and arrests which they are subject to; the Congress reaffirms the IFJ solidarity with male and female colleagues and calls on the Algerian authorities for respect of their human and professional rights; the Congress also calls on the Algerian Government to ensure genuine openness in order to facilitate the movement of journalists travelling within Algeria as well as to put an end to the restrictions on the granting of visas to special correspondents sent to the country; • the Congress asks all member unions to actively contribute to the support of journalists Congre and the Algerian press; ⚫the Congress salutes all male and female Algerian colleagues for continuing to perform their work in such difficult conditions; the Congress salutes the memory of all journalists who have died in the exercise of their profession in Algeria and commits itself to preserve their memory from being forgotten; ⚫the Congress recognises the official recognition of the IFJ Centre in Algiers. ford Resolutions AUTHORS' RIGHTS The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 1998 . LES T congratulates the Authors' Rights Experts Group for its work in defence of authors' rights, in co- operation with the European Federation of Journalists, since the last Congress. Congress reaffirms that IFJ unions must address the issue of authors' rights as a matter of priority, aiming to secure a high level of protection for the intellectual property rights, both moral and material of journalists. • Congress is concerned that attempts to enforce liberalisation of investment, public procurement and intellectual property rights in international trade agreements- through, for instance, the OECD Multilateral Agreement on Investment( MAI) or the so- called New Transatlantic Marketplace( MAI) which seeks to remove trade barriers between north America and Europe- constitute a major threat to long- established traditions of authors' rights protection, particularly in Europe.. • Congress, therefore, notes the report of the AREG presented to this Congress and adopts the guidelines set out in the report for the development of an international campaign in defence of authors' rights. All member unions are asked to consider urgently how they contribute to the activities of AREG and to put into effect the objectives of the campaign. Congress further welcomes the publication of the Authors' Rights Manual for Journalists and calls on all member unions to distribute the document and to ensure that its guidelines are adopted in national collective bargaining in order to secure authors' rights through collective agreements. ⚫ while Congress agrees that it is right to focus monitoring and lobbying activity on initiatives of the European Commission, it instructs the Executive Committee to support a campaign for an international law on inalienable moral rights, using, as a first step, possibilities of action within the Council of Europe and the European Union; • Congress calls on the Executive Committee to promote co- operation between European and non- European member unions and Latin America, particularly in the US, Japan and Australia in preparing positions on international copyright legislation, and finally; ⚫ to promote with the assistance of AREG, the establishment of an" early warning network" between national unions to exchange information on breach of authors' rights when media employers publish works abroad without giving proper compensation to journalists whether freelance or employed. The Centre 2T21JA 20094229 50 51 Resolutions FREELANCE JOURNALISTS 2TH ROHTUA The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 1998m ⚫welcomes the renewed activities of the Freelance Experts Group which, in co- operation with the European Federation of Journalists, provides a framework for activities in defence of freelance journalists' interests which should be supported by all member unions; • Congress notes that the freelance sector of journalism is continuing to expand rapidly and that many new jobs created in the flexible environment of new information services are freelance or short- term contracts in which the journalists are forced by media organisations to accept poorer working conditions than staff journalists, in terms of pay and working conditions; • Congress agrees that journalists' unions urgently must react to these developments and they have to find new strategies to organise freelances and to represent their interests making sure that freelance issues are addressed at national and at international level; • Congress urges the Executive Committee and all IFJ regional groups to support the Freelance Expert Group, through the EFJ, and to promote the participation of all unions which are involved in the recruitment and organisation of freelance journalists outside Europe to become engaged in campaigns and initiatives which will strengthen freelance rights world- wide. In particular, the IFJ should: 1. follow closely, through the EFJ, the work of the European Trade Union Congress to negotiate an international agreement on part- time contracts; 2. co- operate with the ILO through the Freelance Expert Group in the preparation of an international survey on the rights of freelance journalists; 3. campaign vigorously with other trade unions in the media sector for an ILO convention to protect the rights of freelance and part- time workers, to lionuo ert midw 4. seek international social dialogue with media employers with a view to establishing a charter of freelance rights for journalists. Finally, the Congress reaffirms that the IFJ should encourage the regions to form specialist freelance groups in order to facilitate exchange of information between regions and national unions on practical initiatives for freelances drawing upon the policies, strategies and experience of the Freelance Experts Group in Europe. INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION OF JOURNALISTS The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 1998 ⚫ noting the positive actions of the Executive Committee in pursuit of unity of journalists at international level; • reaffirms support for the policy document agreed by the Executive Committee in Ljubljana in 1996 which was later endorsed by the International Organisation of Journalists, and; • instructs the Executive Committee to continue the process agreed with the IOJ to a conclusion. Motions remitted to the Executive Committee for further action DAY OF MEMORY OF PERISHED JOURNALISTS The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife on May 3 to May 7, 1998 esteeming the memory of our colleagues that perished while fulfilling professional duty, ⚫declares to note annually first Friday of April the International Day of Memory of Journalists; ⚫ decides to found the Order" For Journalists courage" in the memory of perished journalists and the IFJ leadership or on the behalf of the IFJ leadership of the national unions bestow this order the best media workers, activists of journalists movement upon their contribution in affirmation of ideals of humanism and freedom of the press. • Agrees to publish a book of memory on journalists that perished in XX century while fulfilling their professional duty. PALESTINIAN MEDIA CENTRE IN JERUSALEM We, the Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate( AJA), highly appreciate the role of the IFJ which has always been defending the rights of the world's journalists and bringing about freedom of the press. In the light of that, we decided to carry on our profession with confidence in order to take an active part in this respected international federation. We sought the importance of this vital project, which is to establish the Palestinian Media Centre in Jerusalem as important and essential not only for the Palestinian journalists, but also for all the world's journalists in particular the IFJ. The project A building which includes the following: 1. a conference room provided with all the needed facilities, in particular translation booths and equipment; Conti 2. a Press Centre providing urgent services for all reporters( computers- internet- wire services faxes etc); - 3. a TV feed centre for all the international TV networks which provides easy and less expensive feed to any country in the world; 4. an office for the Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate( AJA); 5. facilities for the foreign reporters, and reception rooms for official visitors, and international press groups; 6. a public library; 7. a TV studio providing editing services and equipped for indoor interviews; 8. photo developing lab. The Centre will be aimed at serving all journalists regardless of their nationalities. We hope that all of you, the members of the various unions, members of the congress that you will help us and support this very vital project. We have always considered the IFJ as the organisation which is acting to reinforce freedoms in the world, and to bring about democracy. Having such a centre will enable us to contribute to building up a democratic Palestinian society, and create a better future for journalists. 52 53 thut not selimo vitupex erf of beimen zoito 39 30 YA FREELANCE JOURNALISTSTZIJAMALE TO CAME TO YAO tiv air te bhe INTERNATIONAL The ON OF JOURNALISTS inter reef in 1999 instru of noɔ of zu eldsne liv vong moon congr priveH atzile muojnot putut 19tted 6 916910 brevisi Я Summary RESO Summary Journalism 2000: New Perspectives Preface Opening Address. 1. Opening Ceremony 2. Working rules and Order of Business Resolutions .33 Information on Chiapas .34 .3 Solidarity with Peruvian journalists .34 9 Free the kenyan airwaves. .35 .9 Palestine .35 3. Presidential Address... .9 Racism, xenophobia and intolerance .36 4. Report of the General Secretary .9 Violation of journalists' rights in India .36 5. Debate on the Report of the General Secretary .11. Women rights in the media .37 6. Report of Congress Commissions .15 Specific needs in Mongolia. .37 7. Reports from regional meetings .20 Cyprus .37 8. Continuation of Debate on Motions .22 IFJ appeal to the situation in Latin America .38 9. Farewell adress by outgoing president Jens Linde. .22 Situation in Guatemala .39 10. Elections to the Executive Committee .22 Ethics of Journalism .40 11. Place of Next Congress .22 Safety of Journalists .41 12. Other Matters .23 Human Rights .41 13. Closing Ceremony .23 Turkey .41 Journalists' misconduct in former Yugoslavia .42 Constitution ut the regime Human rights, women and the IFJ .42 Section| Title and Headquarters Section II Character Section III Objects Section IV Membership Section V Application for Membership Section VI Expulsion and resignation .|| .|| .||| .||| Globalisation and Journalists' Unions .43 Globalisation and challenges to journalists and their unions.44 News corporation .44 Globalisation of Media Enterprises: The Need for International Representation and Consultation .45 Media and Convergence .45 Section VII Congress .IV Relations With Other Mediaworkers .46 Section VIII Executive Committee, Public Broadcasting .46 Officers and Administrative Committee West Africa Magazine .47 Section IX Continental and regional Groups .VI Social Status Of Journalists .47 Section X Finance.. .VI Labour Restrictions .48 Section XI Amendment of the Constitution and Dissolution.VII Support To Brazilian Students .48 0 Section XII Miscellaneous .VII Call For IFJ Activities .48 Provisions On Sedition In Uganda Press .49 Situation In Niger .49 Ethiopia $.50 Solidarity With Algerian Journalists ..50 Authors' Rights .51 Freelance Journalists .52 International Organisation of Journalists .52 Motions remitted to the Executive Committee for further action Day Of Memory Of Perished Journalists Palestinian Media Centre in Jerusalem 33 ..53 .53 54 55 SIFJ FIP FU International Federation of Journalists 266 rue Royale 1210 Brussels Belgium Telephone:+ 32-2 223 22 65 Telefax:+ 32-2 219 29 76 E- mail: ifj@pophost.eunet.be http://www.ifj.org Lay- out Vagabundo, Brussels V16mmu2 Homyol This resolution was omitted in error from the final list of those adopted by the IFJ Congress RESOLUTION ON THE SITUATION IN NIGERIA The 23rd IFJ Congress, meeting in Recife, Brazil from May 3-7, 1998 noting the declaration of this year's World Press Freedom Day as International Day of Solidarity with Nigerian journalists by the West African Journalists Association; deploring the continued flagrant abuse of the rights of Nigerian journalists and the general violation of human rights by the military authorities in Nigeria; condemning the recent conviction of 9 Nigerian journalists to a life sentence and five civilians to a death penalty by a military tribunal; believing that the military authorities in Nigeria continuously violate the rights of journalists and other groups because of a lack of sustained international pressure against the regime; Calls upon all IFJ members to highlight the plight of Nigerian journalists in their media. Calls on the IFJ to join hands with WAJA and other international media and human rights organisations to mobilise world opinion and pressure against the military regime in Nigeria to free all detained journalists in the country and repeal all anti- press freedom laws. 1 Centimetres Inches 2 అ 5 7 3 Grayscale 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 100% Centimetres Inches 2 Blue # C9C9FF # 0000FF 5 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 5 CYM Sachverständigen- Zubehör.de 7 8 9 9 10 10 11 12 13 14 50% 18% 0% 9 7 3 6 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Color chart Cyan Green Yellow Red Magenta White Grey # C0E5FC # 009FFF # 759675 # FFFFC7 # 008B00 # FFFF00 # FFC9C9 # FF0000 # FFC9FF # FF00FF #FFFFFF # 9D9E9E # D9DADA Sachverständigen- Zubehör.de Black # 5B5B5B # 000000 International Federation of Journalists 266 rue Royale 1210 Brussels Belgium Tel:+ 32-2 223 22 65 Fax:+ 32-2 219 29 76 E- Mail: ifj@pophost.eunet.be http://www.ifj.org