Africa: FAJ leaders preach unity and solidarity at first meeting
Leaders of the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) launched a yearly working programme at the first meeting of the Steering Committee in Dakar last weekend February 6th and 7th. The Steering Committee of the FAJ elected by congress in November 2008 in Nairobi, Kenya, convened in Dakar to examine the implementation of priorities and programmed activities for 2009 as agreed at the Nairobi Congress.
FAJ Leaders Preach Unity and Solidarity among African Journalists at First Meeting
Leaders of the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) launched a yearly working programme at the first meeting of the Steering Committee in Dakar last weekend February 6th and 7th.
The Steering Committee of the FAJ elected by congress in November 2008 in Nairobi, Kenya, convened in Dakar to examine the implementation of priorities and programmed activities for 2009 as agreed at the Nairobi Congress.
“The meeting addressed issues affecting journalists in many African countries and adopted special resolutions expressing solidarity with journalists attacked, jailed, and killed especially in Somalia, exploitation of African media workers, absence of social protection, job insecurity and unemployment for African journalists and the increase of press freedom violations” said Omar Faruk Osman, FAJ President. “FAJ provides a common voice for African journalists to achieve a conducive working environment and the committee reaffirmed it,” added Faruk.
FAJ leaders supported by IFJ President Jim Boumelha and IFJ Deputy General Secretary Paco Audije, met with representatives of the Senegalese authorities who welcomed the FAJ in Senegal. “FAJ, our organisation in the African continent, continues to take giant steps since its first congress just a few months ago. Its newly-elected leadership is now in full swing confronting the enormous challenges faced by African journalists. I have no doubt that IFJ affiliates worldwide will give them all the solidarity they deserve” said IFJ President Jim Boumelha; “We welcome the pledges made by representatives of Senegalese authorities to consider the wish expressed by FAJ leadership to establish its Headquarters in Senegal.”
The FAJ meeting launched the first African Status of Journalists Report 2007 and also discussed the strengthening of the IFJ Africa Office which is the Secretariat of the FAJ to achieve an effective and strong continental Federation. “Building campaigns to address press freedom, ethical journalism, and reforms for legal and institutional environment for media work on the continent; promoting journalists’ welfare in the media industry in Africa are the mains highlights of our programmes.” said Gabriel Baglo, IFJ Africa Director.
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The FAJ is the Africa group of the IFJ
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 123 countries worldwide