On Safety: The IFJ calls on all unions to use this World Press Freedom Day to highlight the continuing threat to journalists and to press for national campaigns to minimize risks to staff. Since 11 September 2001, more than ever, journalists have been living in the shadow of terrorism and war. Eight journalists have been killed in Afghanistan while another seven media staff were among the 4,000 victims who perished in New York on September 11. Already this year 18 journalists have died, dozens have been brutalised by the conflict in the Middle East which claimed the life of Italian freelance photographer Raffaele Ciriello, who was shot down in crossfire in the streets of Ramallah in March 2002.
We call on all IFJ Unions to:
· Seek provision for safety training and the implementation of a safety strategy in collective bargaining agreements
· Support the IFJ Safety Fund and to support the creation of an industry-wide fund to provide risk awareness training and equipment for local journalists and freelances operating in hostile environments
On Globalisation: The IFJ also urges unions to support initiatives at local and regional level to put the focus on the dangers of globalisation and to give their backing to IFJ campaigns aimed at turning the media tide away from excessive commercialisation and in favour of professionalism, social justice and editorial independence.
We call on all IFJ Unions to:
· Protest over excessive media concentration and to highlight conflicts of interests between politicians and media organisations
· Support IFJ campaigns aimed at defending rights at work in the face of employer threats such as the global campaign for authors' rights and the campaign to defend public service broadcasting.
For more information, please visit the website of the International Federation of Journalists: http://www.ifj.org
We call on all IFJ Unions to:
· Seek provision for safety training and the implementation of a safety strategy in collective bargaining agreements
· Support the IFJ Safety Fund and to support the creation of an industry-wide fund to provide risk awareness training and equipment for local journalists and freelances operating in hostile environments
On Globalisation: The IFJ also urges unions to support initiatives at local and regional level to put the focus on the dangers of globalisation and to give their backing to IFJ campaigns aimed at turning the media tide away from excessive commercialisation and in favour of professionalism, social justice and editorial independence.
We call on all IFJ Unions to:
· Protest over excessive media concentration and to highlight conflicts of interests between politicians and media organisations
· Support IFJ campaigns aimed at defending rights at work in the face of employer threats such as the global campaign for authors' rights and the campaign to defend public service broadcasting.
For more information, please visit the website of the International Federation of Journalists: http://www.ifj.org