UNESCO supports first congress of Federation of African Journalists
02-12-2008 (Nairobi)
During the Congress
© UNESCO
Delegates from journalists’ unions from more than 30 African countries met for the first working Congress of Federation of African Journalists (FAJ). The Congress was organized by the Eastern Africa Journalists Association (EAJA), with the support of UNESCO.
During the Congress held on 21 and 22 November in Nairobi, Kenya, the delegates adopted a constitution for the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), its rules and a two-year working programme. The FAJ constitution expresses unwavering support for fundamental principles of press freedom, freedom of expression and trade unionism.
The delegates called for a new approach to eradicate press laws that have been used to intimidate and suppress independent journalism. They also urged to campaign for immediate release of all African journalists in prison and decided to seek an observer status at African Union.
The new FAJ Steering Committee of seven members elected Omar Faruk Osman (Somalia) as President, Foster Dongozi (Zimbabwe) as Vice President and Ndey Tapha Sossey (Gambia) as Honorary Treasurer.
"The message we send out from Nairobi to journalists in Africa is that the Federation of African Journalists represents our common determination to provide them with a single voice, strength, solidarity, and a federation to protect, promote and improve their rights, freedoms and interests," said FAI’s newly elected President.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) welcomed this congress as a “historic milestone” in strengthening African journalists. “IFJ affiliates in Africa have finally realized a long-held ambition to set up their own federation. This will have a tremendous impact on journalists and media in Africa," said IFJ’s President Jim Boumelha.
The Congress of the African journalists was officially opened by Mr Raila Odinga, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya, in a ceremony broadcasted live by the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation.
The delegates called for a new approach to eradicate press laws that have been used to intimidate and suppress independent journalism. They also urged to campaign for immediate release of all African journalists in prison and decided to seek an observer status at African Union.
The new FAJ Steering Committee of seven members elected Omar Faruk Osman (Somalia) as President, Foster Dongozi (Zimbabwe) as Vice President and Ndey Tapha Sossey (Gambia) as Honorary Treasurer.
"The message we send out from Nairobi to journalists in Africa is that the Federation of African Journalists represents our common determination to provide them with a single voice, strength, solidarity, and a federation to protect, promote and improve their rights, freedoms and interests," said FAI’s newly elected President.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) welcomed this congress as a “historic milestone” in strengthening African journalists. “IFJ affiliates in Africa have finally realized a long-held ambition to set up their own federation. This will have a tremendous impact on journalists and media in Africa," said IFJ’s President Jim Boumelha.
The Congress of the African journalists was officially opened by Mr Raila Odinga, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya, in a ceremony broadcasted live by the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation.
During the Congress© UNESCO
Participants of the Congress© UNESCO
Related themes/countries
· Africa
· Freedom of Expression
· Kenya: News Archives
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Contact information
-
Contact
- Andrea Cairola, UNESCO, Division for Freedom of Expression, Democracy and Peace
- Hezekiel Dlamini, UNESCO Office in Nairobi
- IFJ
Source
- UNESCO Office in Nairobi
Field office