Modernising Journalists’ Trade Unions in Pakistan for the Digital Age A Mapping of Challenges, Needs, and Solutions Introduction Working to build stronger media unions for a stronger media industry in Pakistan The International Federation of Journalists(IFJ) is the world’s largest organization representing media professionals, uniting 187 journalist trade unions and associations across 141 countries and advocating for the rights of over 600,000 journalists globally. Established in 1926, the IFJ serves as a leading voice for journalists within the United Nations system and the international labor movement. Importantly, the IFJ does not subscribe to any given political viewpoint, but promotes collective action to defend human rights, democracy and media pluralism. It supports journalists and their unions whenever they are fighting for their industrial and professional rights. Since 2020, the IFJ Asia-Pacific has been leading a major national strategy in Pakistan, targeting one of IFJ’s core mandates: to secure wages, safe working conditions and to protect labour rights. We have been doing so with a diverse range of media stakeholders, including our Pakistan affiliate, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists(PFUJ) – on work that is focused on building media union capacities around labour rights issues; diversity and inclusion; union transformation; and enhancing union leadership development and awareness of labour rights for media workers. Secondly, but equally important to the IFJ’s core platform is gender equality. Specifically, IFJ’s work has been embedded in enhancing efforts and strategies to empower women working in the media. We have collaborated with and lobbied press clubs, media houses and media unions on the need for gender equity and equality in all areas of the media landscape. We continue to support women journalists to build stronger networks and enhance their leadership capacities, so they take up a rightful and more equitable seat at the bargaining table and in union and press club leadership. Because we know that a union is only as strong as its collective membership, but that membership must also prioritise advocacy and lobbying on gender specific issues in the media space, in work contracts and in collective bargaining if it is to be truly powerful and game changing. v