The International Federation of Journalists is the world's largest organisation of journalists. First established in 1926, it was relaunched in 1946 and again, in its present form, in 1952. Today the Federation represents around 500.000 members in more than 100 countries. The IFJ promotes international action to defend press freedom and social justice through strong, free and independent trade unions of journalists.
The IFJ does not subscribe to any given political viewpoint, but promotes human rights, democracy and pluralism. The IFJ is opposed to discrimination of all kinds and condemns the use of media as propaganda or to promote intolerance and conflict. The IFJ believes in freedom of political and cultural expression and defends trade union and other basic human rights. The IFJ is the organisation that speaks for journalists within the United Nations system and within the international trade union movement. The IFJ supports journalists and their unions whenever they are fighting for their industrial and professional rights and has established an International Safety Fund to provide humanitarian aid for journalists in need. IFJ policy is decided by the Congress which meets every three years and work is carried out by the Secretariat based in Brussels under the direction of an elected Executive Committee.
Issues
Authors' Rights - The IFJ authors' rights programmes call for journalists to be recognised as authors of the work they create, have control on further use of their work and receive an equitable remuneration for it. In this sense, we oppose the Anglo-American copyright system which deprives all staff and most freelances of these rights.
Ethics - The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) are committed to promoting ethical journalism. The IFJ Declaration of Principles on the Conduct of Journalists (adopted by 1954 IFJ Congress) has become the guiding principles for journalists and their unions to enforce ethics and quality in journalism.
Freelancer’s Rights - Freelance journalism is no longer an "atypical" form of work. In many countries the majority of journalists are freelances. Many are journalists who would prefer traditional employment and have been forced into what we call "fake freelance" positions by employers who break local rules on employment by using freelances to fill full-time posts while avoiding state welfare and social charges.
Gender Equality - Gender equality in journalism and trade unionism is a central concern of the International Federation of Journalists.
Human Rights and Safety - The International Federation of Journalists Safety Fund was established in January 1992 and has become internationally recognised as an important and crucial source of support for journalists under threat. It is the only international assistance fund for journalists established by journalists.
The Safety Fund is an integral part of the IFJ Safety Programme which includes casework, protests, campaigns, provision of information and production of various publications. As the Safety Fund provides immediate financial relief to a particular journalist, the Safety Programme strives all year round to highlight and improve the plight of all journalists
Press Freedom and Safety - The International Federation of Journalists monitors press freedom violations and campaigns for greater safety and for a focus on the in-country journalists and freelances who are at greatest risk and who have the least protection. This is done in cooperation with the member unions around the world, and with other organizations through IFEX, the International Freedom of Expression Exchange.
Other Projects
The projects are run regionally in Africa, Asia, Middle east and Arab World, Europe and Latin America, ensuring a global programme and designed to meet the following priority themes:
