Federation of African Journalists pledge to improve conditions of journalists in Africa
Journalists’ Trade Unions of the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) at the end of a two-day Pan-African conference on the conditions of service for Journalists in Africa pledged to improve the prevailing appalling situation on the continent.
The event held in Abuja, Nigeria from July 20-21, 2011 was attended by nineteen members-unions and associations including the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).
Other countries included; Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Ethiopia, the Gambia, Senegal, Tunisia, Somalia, Northern Sudan, Uganda, Zambia and Nigeria among others.
A statement signed in Accra on Sunday July 24, by Mr. Bright Blewu, General Secretary of GJA, said members expressed grave concern about the general poor working condition of Journalists throughout the continent, bemoaned “the appalling working condition of journalists in Africa and the general lack of respect for labour rights in the media industry in Africa.”
It was organized under the auspices of the International Federation of Journalists and the International Trade Union Confederation, African-Region and sponsored by the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung on the theme: “The Fruit of Our Labour: A New Agenda for Improving Conditions of Journalist in Africa.”
It also noted that members showed concern over the poor implementation of collective bargaining agreements in the media industry in Africa and the insecure working environment for Journalists and other media workers on the continent.
The statement said members of FAJ have resolved to launch a campaign to improve the working conditions of service of Journalists and other workers in the industry and fight for labour rights of journalists as the fundamental basis for social justice, human rights and democracy.
“Members express their commitment to defend worker’s organizing rights and to call for the implementation of labour laws to protect the industry and assured to work to ensure better enforcement and monitoring of laws that are in conformity with international labour standards,” it added.
They further pledged to ensure that appropriate legislation was enacted where they were lacking, to protect the working conditions of Journalists and other media workers in Africa.
Source: GNA