The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today welcomed the decision of the High Court in London which ruled yesterday that journalists and media organisations in UK , including the BBC, ITN and Sky News cannot be compelled to hand over unbroadcast footage on the eviction of travellers' families from the Dale Farm in Essex, last October. The decision reversed the order of the Crown court in Chelmford which had granted the police application for access to hundreds of hours of unbroadcast footage on the eviction. "This landmark ruling is hugely important in upholding fundamental principles of press independence and an important precedent for any future police applications to commandeer footage," said IFJ President, Jim Boumelha. "Congratulations to our colleagues who waged a brave fight to resist speculative orders which were proved to clearly contravene the right to freedom of expression expressed in European law.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has today condemned the killing of  Amon Thembo Wa’ Mupaghasya, a director of Mupaghasya Community Television Centre in Uganda.   “We are deeply shocked, and condemn in the strongest terms this cold blooded killing in the strongest terms,” said Gabriel Baglo, IFJ Africa Office Director. “We call on authorities to quickly investigate and bring the culprits to book.”    According to the Uganda Journalists' Union (UJU),  Mr. Amon Thembo Wa’ Mupaghasya ( 42) , director of Mupaghasya Community Television Centre in Kasese Town, Western Uganda, was killed by unidentified attackers on Saturday 12 May as he was returning home from work.   The journalists' killers took his camera and equipment bag, UJU said. Police confirmed it had arrested suspects and investigations are underway.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today welcomed the unanimous decision of the African Commission on Human and People's Rights (ACHPR) in adopting a landmark resolution, at its meeting of 2 May in Banjul, Gambia, on attacks targeting journalists in Somalia. Farhan James Abdulle was the latest journalist to be gunned down in Galkayo in central Somalia on the eve of World Press Freedom day.   The resolution, which "condemns the continued killings of journalists" in Somalia, calls on "Somali authorities and all armed groups to end ongoing violations against journalists, media practitioners and media organisations". Somalia's media community is facing the worst onslaught in its history. Five journalists were murdered in Somalia since January 2012, and media houses attacked and some taken over.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today welcomed the unanimous decision of the African Commission on Human and People's Rights (ACHPR) in adopting a landmark resolution, at its meeting of 2 May in Banjul, Gambia, on attacks targeting journalists in Somalia. Farhan James Abdulle was the latest journalist to be gunned down in Galkayo in central Somalia on the eve of World Press Freedom day.   The resolution, which "condemns the continued killings of journalists" in Somalia, calls on "Somali authorities and all armed groups to end ongoing violations against journalists, media practitioners and media organisations". Somalia's media community is facing the worst onslaught in its history. Five journalists were murdered in Somalia since January 2012, and media houses attacked and some taken over.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today welcomed the unanimous decision of the African Commission on Human and People's Rights (ACHPR) in adopting a landmark resolution, at its meeting of 2 May in Banjul, Gambia, on attacks targeting journalists in Somalia. Farhan James Abdulle was the latest journalist to be gunned down in Galkayo in central Somalia on the eve of World Press Freedom day.   The resolution, which "condemns the continued killings of journalists" in Somalia, calls on "Somali authorities and all armed groups to end ongoing violations against journalists, media practitioners and media organisations". Somalia's media community is facing the worst onslaught in its history. Five journalists were murdered in Somalia since January 2012, and media houses attacked and some taken over.

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), the European group of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), has today marked World Press Freedom Day by focusing on the severe threats to press freedom in Europe, with a special focus on over 100 imprisoned journalists in Turkey .   The EFJ also marked the day by calling for EU action to support the campaign for press freedom in Hungary. "Hungary has shown that the mobilisation of democratic forces can have some impact on the public, but our Hungarian colleagues still have a long way to go due to the unprecedented pressure of its government. Much more is needed to guarantee journalists' rights" said EFJ President Arne König.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliates are marking this year's World Press Freedom Day by calling for the release of journalists held for their professional activities. The IFJ says that reform of criminal defamation law and anti-terror legislation is urgently needed as they account for the majority of reporters' detention cases. "We are witnessing unprecedented levels of criminal litigation against journalists in many countries," said IFJ President, Jim Boumelha. "This is one of the worst forms of censorship facing media and governments must repeal criminal defamation law and review the anti- terror laws which represent a major obstacle to genuine press freedom." Over 150 journalists are in currently in jail around the world, some of whom have been detained for years without trial. In China, over 20 journalists have been arrested as the authorities continue their attempts to control and censure independent reporting.

 

 

It is more than five years since the financial crisis hit, followed rapidly by a larger economic crisis. This economic earthquake exposed the dangers of financialisation; of having the real economy subservient to finance; and of two decades of growing inequality. The resulting shock added millions to the already teeming ranks of the jobless and threw millions more into precarious work. Many workers have lost good jobs and far too many have also lost the fundamental rights that went with them. Global financial markets, opened up by deregulation at national level, have not only produced the current economic crisis, but also the instability that has characterised economic development for the last 30 years, with periodic "bubbles" and crises. This has made it much more lucrative to make money from money than from the production of goods and services.

 

 

Dear brothers and sisters, Tomorrow, May 1st 2012, workers all over the world are celebrating the achievements of trade unions. Members of IFJ unions will join leaders and members of sister unions to uphold the spirit of May Day and express their hopes for the future. More than ever before, workers everywhere are confronting the same tremendous challenges of ballooning unemployment and precarious jobs, social exclusion and growing inequalities, in a context of aggressive globalisation and a brutal economic crisis particularly in Europe. Precarious jobs, which have become the only type of employment available to young people, are also spreading to other workers. We will not accept that they represent the future for our members. Over the longer term, we are headed towards widespread impoverishment that downgrades our societies both economically and politically. Our unions will continue fighting for quality jobs for their members to ensure a decent life for them and their families.

It is more than five years since the financial crisis hit, followed rapidly by a larger economic crisis. This economic earthquake exposed the dangers of financialisation; of having the real economy subservient to finance; and of two decades of growing inequality. The resulting shock added millions to the already teeming ranks of the jobless and threw millions more into precarious work. Many workers have lost good jobs and far too many have also lost the fundamental rights that went with them. Global financial markets, opened up by deregulation at national level, have not only produced the current economic crisis, but also the instability that has characterised economic development for the last 30 years, with periodic "bubbles" and crises. This has made it much more lucrative to make money from money than from the production of goods and services.

Dear brothers and sisters, Tomorrow, May 1st 2012, workers all over the world are celebrating the achievements of trade unions. Members of IFJ unions will join leaders and members of sister unions to uphold the spirit of May Day and express their hopes for the future. More than ever before, workers everywhere are confronting the same tremendous challenges of ballooning unemployment and precarious jobs, social exclusion and growing inequalities, in a context of aggressive globalisation and a brutal economic crisis particularly in Europe. Precarious jobs, which have become the only type of employment available to young people, are also spreading to other workers. We will not accept that they represent the future for our members. Over the longer term, we are headed towards widespread impoverishment that downgrades our societies both economically and politically. Our unions will continue fighting for quality jobs for their members to ensure a decent life for them and their families.

 

 

SIGN UP TO THE PETITION NOW!   To mark the International Copyright Day 2012 on 23 April, The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its regional group, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), join forces with songwriters, composers, film directors, screenwriters, illustrators, photographers and visual authors across Europe to launch a public campaign aiming to bring an end to the unfair contractual practices facing creators.  "On this occasion, we recall the UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of the Artist (1980) and urge national governments and social partners to commit to the aim of the Recommendation in providing the necessary socio-economic safeguards to which journalists are entitled." says Jim Boumelha, IFJ President.

SIGN UP TO THE PETITION NOW!   To mark the International Copyright Day 2012 on 23 April, The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its regional group, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), join forces with songwriters, composers, film directors, screenwriters, illustrators, photographers and visual authors across Europe to launch a public campaign aiming to bring an end to the unfair contractual practices facing creators.  "On this occasion, we recall the UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of the Artist (1980) and urge national governments and social partners to commit to the aim of the Recommendation in providing the necessary socio-economic safeguards to which journalists are entitled." says Jim Boumelha, IFJ President.

SIGN UP TO THE PETITION NOW!   To mark the International Copyright Day 2012 on 23 April, The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its regional group, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), join forces with songwriters, composers, film directors, screenwriters, illustrators, photographers and visual authors across Europe to launch a public campaign aiming to bring an end to the unfair contractual practices facing creators.  "On this occasion, we recall the UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of the Artist (1980) and urge national governments and social partners to commit to the aim of the Recommendation in providing the necessary socio-economic safeguards to which journalists are entitled." says Jim Boumelha, IFJ President.

 

 

 

 

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today urged the new Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi to release journalist AbdelHadi Al Shaye, who was pardoned by former President Ali Abdallah Saleh but is being kept behind bars to serve out his three year jail term at the behest of the US administration for alleged links with al Qaida. The Federation was reacting to recent promises made by President Hadi in a meeting with IFJ President Jim Boumelha, to act swiftly and turn the page of the painful episode for media in the country. "I reminded President Hadi of his government's responsibility to protect journalists and we welcome his commitment to press freedom," said Jim Boumelha following his meeting with the Yemeni leader which took place on 15 April. "We are now urging him to make good on his promises by ordering the release of AbdelHadi Al Shaye whose continued detention is a blatant denial of justice.