Ecovillage Network UK
evnuk@gaia.org
Wed, 18 Dec 2002 20:00:00 +0000
--=======7B4D173======= Content-Type: multipart/alternative; x-avg-checked=avg-ok-BD06E2E; boundary="=====================_4887417==.ALT" --=====================_4887417==.ALT Content-Type: text/plain; x-avg-checked=avg-ok-BD06E2E; charset=iso-8859-1; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable IFJ EXECUTIVE REPORT No.9 June 02 Dear Colleagues, I enclose a report of the latest IFJ Executive Committee meeting on 8-9th= =20 June 02. Please contact me if you want more information or full documents. Jim Boumelha Jimboumel@aol.com ________________________________________________________________________ 1. Attendance Welcome to two observers, Tom Carpenter of AFTRA and Adolphe Bernotas of=20 TNG. Apologies received from Soren Wormslev who was replaced by reserve=20 advisor Andreas Kannaouros. . 2. Minutes of Executive Committee Meeting, Stockholm, Oct 01 Gustl Glattfelder questioned the manner in which the Washington meeting=20 venue had been selected and asked for this to be noted in the minutes. I=20 supported him stressing that, as a point of principle, the EC should be=20 responsible for making the final decision. 3. Safety Meeting 3.1. Safety in News Reporting: Guidelines It was agreed that the meeting on Safety was a success. The main lines=20 adopted were that safety issues require practical action, that they should= =20 be a matter for industrial relations, and that action in this area requires= =20 a coalition of interested groups. Also discussed were particular problems=20 for freelances and a lack of understanding of the issues among management. I expressed concern about adopting and promoting a new set of international= =20 guidelines as we already had the IFJ International Code of Practice for the= =20 Safe Conduct of Journalism adopted by many unions. I also proposed adding=20 questions of anti-terrorism legislation, the neutrality of journalists and= =20 the definition of terrorism to the action plan. Linda Foley urged the EC to recognise the new document as a consensus set=20 of guidelines developed with other groups in the United States. 3.2. Terrorism and Media Report The General Secretary introduced the updated report on Journalism, Civil=20 Liberties and the War on Terrorism which drew on input from member unions.= =20 In summary he noted that the role of the United States remains central to=20 developments --there is a debate on the consequences for civil liberties,=20 the problem of self-censorship and bias. In Europe countries have joined=20 the US in adopting laws, unthinkable a few years ago, that allow access to= =20 private e-mails and data records. There is also increased pressure on=20 journalists to reveal sources of information. Finally, he noted increased= =20 the physical risks to journalists. 3.3. Follow-up Actions: Proposal for International News Safety Institute The EC discussed and adopted a proposal to establish an International News= =20 Safety Institute after initial discussions with the International Press=20 Institute. The new institute, to be launched on World Press Freedom day=20 2003, would involve a coalition of organisations and aims to make=20 available equipment and basic training to smaller companies and freelances= =20 who cannot afford the heavy costs involved in the full safety-training=20 package. 4. Report of the General Secretary The General Secretary listed the crises currently developing in the Middle= =20 East, in Italy and in Venezuela. He also referred to problems in Morocco=20 and in Turkey, an area of concern over human rights standards and basic=20 trade union rights. He said that in response to demands from member unions, the Secretariat is= =20 trying to coordinate work on solidarity and to highlight globalisation=20 issues. Many unions were engaged in serious disputes. 4.1. Future Congress Preparation Future congress preparations were reported. The Greek unions are offering to host the next Congress in Athens in 2004=20 which would include an international conference on Journalism and Sport=20 immediately prior to the Congress to take advantage of worldwide interest=20 in the Olympic Games. They would cover all the accommodation and meal costs of 200 participants and the IFJ= =20 secretariat for the Congress period. An all-in registration fee of =80 600= =20 Euros per participant, for a five-day stay in this venue would go a long= =20 towards covering the costs of travel for delegates from developing= countries. The EC finally agreed that Congress will be held in Athens on the dates and= =20 venue proposed and that the General Secretary should prepare a fuller=20 report on all issues related to themes, organisation and content . 4.2. Missions a) Palestine The General Secretary briefed the meeting on the last safety mission to=20 Palestine and mentioned the distribution of 100 medical kits and 15 flak=20 jackets for Palestinian camera people and announced plans for the next=20 mission to Palestine involving high-ranking representatives from IFJ unions= =20 in Italy, France, UK, Sweden, and Greece. He went on to discuss the correspondence and criticism of the IFJ by the=20 Nederlandse Vereniging van Journalisten (NVJ), which had been circulated=20 widely within the IFJ. The Dutch colleagues have been invited to join the=20 mission, but they declined because they feel that the mission has to be=20 independent. (i) IFJ Correspondence with the NVJ: The EC considered correspondence with= =20 Hans Verploeg of the NVJ and the additional reaction from the Cagdas=20 Gazeticiler Dernegi (Progressive Journalists Association) in Turkey. The=20 following motion was passed unanimously after amendments: While recognising the continuing need for appropriate use of language in=20 dealing with delicate and highly contentious matters, the Executive= Committee: a) Endorses the secretariat=92s prompt and appropriate response to=20 developments in the Middle East, and b) directs the General Secretary to continue to monitor and respond to=20 attacks on Press Freedom and Journalists=92 Safety in the region. (ii) The Mission to Palestine: The objectives of the mission were agreed as= =20 follows: =B7to follow up on the establishment of a Safety Centre for Palestinians =B7to encourage a co-ordinated response from IFJ member unions to recent=20 events in the region; =B7to engage in dialogue with Israeli journalists on their problems= reminding=20 them that they are in the IFJ and not excluded from our considerations =B7to hold another meeting with the Government Press Office so that our=20 unions can express their concerns. =B7To meet with Palestinian journalists and to estimate the damage done to= =20 the media infrastructure following recent Israeli military incursions. (iii) IFJ Relations with the Arab world: The EC discussed the strategy=20 needed to strengthen IFJ contacts with Arab journalists unions and bring=20 them into membership. Actions to be taken: a)The IFJ is committed to establish relations with independent unions in=20 the Arab world b)The Executive Committee instructs the GS to establish direct contact with= =20 the Egyptian union c)The secretariat should prepare a strategy for building bridges with=20 unions in the Arab world d)Then IFJ agrees to send someone to the AFJ meeting in October. b) Turkey Gustl Glattfelder presented a draft report. The Turkish union, the TGS, has= =20 done an excellent job and made it possible for the mission to meet with all= =20 relevant individuals. From the humanitarian aspect, the mission was not=20 able to visit journalists in jail. He explained the difficulties=20 encountered by the union. The EC agreed that the IFJ/ EFJ must continue to= =20 raise these issues with the EU to which Turkey is a candidate country. c) Iran The General Secretary presented the Iran mission report and briefed the=20 meeting about journalists being directly involved in the struggle. He=20 referred to the proposals at the end of the report. I commented that, although the IFJ's mission could be seen as a historical= =20 visit, the report was five months old and the remarks made by US President= =20 George Bush in his =93axis of evil=94speech have encouraged the hardliners. The EC endorsed the recommendations in the report. d) Venezuela Gregorio Salazar urged the IFJ to express solidarity with Venezuelan=20 colleagues and to restore the balance between the media and president=20 Chavez. It was agreed to send a mission immediately after the meeting. e) Morocco The General Secretary said that the timing of a mission to Morocco and the= =20 situation remain difficult. The union has problems and the GS of the union,= =20 M=92Jahed Younouss, is involved in a court case to get his job back. I argued that, in view of the campaign against the union and its GS, the=20 IFJ must support this syndicate at all cost -- if it were to be destroyed=20 it would be a huge setback for the whole region. Members endorsed the Administrative Committee decision to send a mission to= =20 Morocco. I helped draft a communique which was adopted. In addition, Juan Antonio Prieto said that Younouss had problems entering=20 in to the USA. He was detained for two hours and questioned about his work,= =20 specifically about writing on Iran. 4.3. Project Activities The Projects Director, Oliver Money-Kyrle, presented the report on current= =20 and planned projects, including a regional breakdown and a list of current= =20 applications. Recent changes in the Projects office included Stefania=20 Bork, hired to run the Mediterranean Project, and Bertrand Ginet,=20 to replace Isabella Haaf as Africa Projects Officer. There are two global journalism prizes: Lorenzo Natali prize and a global=20 prize on tolerance. Both will be based on regional organisation. He=20 proposed to organise a meeting with all relevant project staff from the=20 regions in the IFJ headquarters later in the year. In response to questions Oliver explained that the project office does not= =20 actually spend all of the =80 4 million it receives. There is a trend to=20 regionalise projects supported by the EU which is why there is a need to=20 transfer the skills from Brussels to the regional offices, so that they can= =20 to approach donors and do the project applications themselves. 4.4. Relations with Other Organisations a) Global Union Federations The General Secretary presented the report on the Global Union Federations= =20 Annual Meeting and confirmed that he had since met with Guy Ryder, the new= =20 General Secretary of the ICFTU. The report recommended calling a meeting=20 between the IFJ, PSI, EI and UNI to discuss joint activities in line with=20 Congress resolutions 1-7 and to share information on globalisation= strategies. b) International Press Institute Notwithstanding the dispute with the IPI on Korea the EC endorsed the=20 proposal to hold a joint meeting of senior IPI and IFJ representatives. c) World Economic Forum The General Secretary reported his attendance at WEF in New York. Beth=20 Costa, who represented the IFJ at the World Social Forum in Porte Alegre,=20 proposed a better and more co-ordinated approach in future. The event=20 attracted over 10,000 delegates from different organisations. I proposed to increase IFJ activity on racism and intolerance with the=20 UNHRC and UNESCO. The October report on terrorism also endorsed this=20 activity and the recent rise in support for the far right in Europe=20 requires addressing urgently. I asked for the International Media Working= =20 Group on racism and Xenophobia, IMRAX, to be relaunched. 4.5. Regional Reports 4.5.1. Africa (a) IFJ Mission report Kenya and Tanzania: Herbert Lumansi asked for a strong condemnation of the new Tanzanian=20 anti-terrorism law that provides for the death penalty to journalists=20 supporting terrorism. He said that a similar draft law in Kenya also needs= =20 to be condemned. M=92Jahed Younouss asked about the IFJ=92s overall strategy for Africa. For= =20 example there is a new IFJ office in Dakar and an IFJ Centre in Algiers,=20 but we do not know what they are doing. He proposed a regional meeting to=20 review the situation and develop an overarching strategy. I also raised questions of the strategy in Africa noting the large amount=20 of funds spent on projects in comparison with the failure of the unions to= =20 develop. Arnold Amber proposed using the September WAJA meeting as an=20 opportunity to debate these issues. (b) SAUJ Crisis Follow up:The GS reported that the SAUJ in South Africa is= =20 seeking financial support from the IFJ. This was rejected by the=20 Administrative Committee, but the IFJ should provide moral support. 4.5.2. Asia-Pacific (a) Asia Pacific Office Report: Jacqui Park, the co-ordinator of the=20 office, highlighted the success of the project work with the Alliance of=20 Independent Journalists, AJI, in Indonesia and its transformation into a=20 trade union developing genuine branches and negotiating agreements. The=20 office has also been supporting the East Timor Journalists' Association. b) Eurasia Media Forum and Relations with the FES and IFJ Affiliates in=20 India: A report on the Eurasia Media Forum and Relations with FES and IFJ=20 affiliates in India was discussed, emphasising South Asia and Central Asia= =20 as priorities for activities. Yoshitane Okuda requested IFJ condemnation of the Human Rights Protection=20 Bill and the Data Protection Bill, which all threaten media freedom in= Japan. A proposal from Andreas Kannaouros suggested developing or restoring=20 relations with the All China Journalists Association. The President stated= =20 that the All China Journalists Association is an arm of the state and that= =20 they remain a long way short of IFJ membership requirements. 4.5.3. Europe Gustl Glattfelder, Senior Vice President, presented the report -- he=20 highlighted the success of the Trade Union of Croatian Journalists (TUCJ)=20 in establishing the first collective agreement with the German WAZ Group. I drew attention to the outbreak of strikes in Europe recently including=20 the demonstrations against Berlusconi in Italy, the strikes against low pay= =20 in the UK and the success of striking colleagues in Greece and Norway. I=20 argued that the IFJ should welcome recent successes, but must be prepared= =20 to defend the European Social Model currently under attack. Special reports on Serbia and Russia were endorsed. 4.5.4. Latin America a) Colombia Centre: Juan Antonio Prieto presented the report on the=20 Colombia Solidarity Centre.Concerns remain over security and local=20 opposition to the centre. The situation is highly complex in terms of=20 professional independence and the safety of journalists. b) Report of the Latin American Office: Gregorio Salazar reported on the=20 alarming conditions facing journalists in Latin America. At least eight=20 events are planned by the office for the rest of 2002. Vice-President Osvaldo Urriolabeitia confirmed how journalists were facing= =20 the darkest phase of globalisation. The politicians and owners have been so= =20 efficient in the adoption of globalisation and the inequality of wealth=20 distribution. 4.5.5. Middle East a) Algeria Centre: It was reported that the IFJ had legal responsibility=20 for the Centre and unless there is a contractual arrangement on its future= =20 there is a danger that the Algerian government will take it back. 4.5.6. North America Arnold Amber said the major challenge is increasing media cross ownership=20 which directly threatens diversity and independence. The rules on cross=20 ownership have recently been relaxed in Canada and are under threat in the= =20 US. He also reported threats to editorial independence at CanWest. 5.Report of the Admin Committee 5.1. Financial Report As Treasurer I presented the audited accounts for 2001 and current accounts= =20 as of 31 May 2002. I also presented the budget for 2002. They were all= agreed. 5.2. Financial arrangements All recommendations made by the Admin Committee were endorsed. The=20 Brazilian union FENAJ, was in financial difficulkties and proposed paying=20 $2000 a month until the end of December. 5.3. Safety Fund I presented a report for developing the IFJ Safety fund which will be=20 debated at the next EC after circulation to affiliates. 5.4. Membership Matters The Administrative Committee recommendations were agreed to (i) admit the= =20 National Union of Journalists, Philippines as associate members, (ii) defer= =20 the application of the Bangladesh Journalists=92 Rights Forum , (iii) defer= =20 the admission the Timor Lorosa=92e Journalists=92 Association and to= continue=20 to work with everybody, (iv) defer the application of the Working=20 Journalists Association and Union of Journalists of Sri Lanka, (v) defer=20 the admission of the Union of Employees in Education, Journalist, Libraries= =20 (Senjousmel) of Rwanda, (vi) admit the National Trade Union of Cameroon=20 Journalists, (vii) defer admission of the Journalists=92 Association of=20 Serbia, (viii) reject an application from the National Union of Journalists= =20 of Pakistan and (ix) readmit the Chilean's Fenetramco. A vote was taken to= =20 refer the appeal from the CIOJ UK and Ireland to the forthcoming IFJ=20 Congress. Finally it was agreed to further investigate the position of the= =20 Austrian's Drunk und Paper Union, Journalists Section. 5.5. Review of work of General Secretary The Administrative Committee's negotiated new three-year contract with the= =20 GS was agreed. 6. Current Working Programme Reports from the Broadcasting and Authors' Rights campaigns, the Freelance= =20 and Labour Rights Expert groups were noted. Regarding the Gender Council, the EC endorsed proposals that the Brussels=20 meetings should be constituted as a steering group, that the full Gender=20 Council should meet at least twice during the Congress period, once between= =20 Congresses and once just prior to Congress. On Globalisation, the EC asked the GS to put in place a new structure by=20 November including the creation of a weblist for alert and easy access to=20 information. New agreements will be made available and unions encouraged=20 to use international standards as a means of defence against the worst=20 impact of globalisation. 7. Next Meeting The next Executive Committee Meeting will take place in Brussels on=20 16th/17th November 2002. This will be preceded, on 15th November, by the=20 Lorenzo Natali Prize ceremony in the morning, and meetings of the Gender=20 Council, the Regional Working Party on the Constitution and the=20 Administrative Committee in the afternoon. Jim Boumelha 10 July 2002 --=====================_4887417==.ALT Content-Type: text/html; x-avg-checked=avg-ok-BD06E2E; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable <html> <font face=3D"Arial Black, Helvetica" size=3D7 color=3D"#0000FF"><b><i>IFJ EXECUTIVE <br> REPORT</font><font face=3D"Arial Black, Helvetica" size=3D7> <x-tab> </x-tab><x-tab> = </x-tab><x-tab> </x-tab></fon= t><font face=3D"Arial Black, Helvetica" size=3D6>No.9 June 02</b><br> </font><font face=3D"Arial Black, Helvetica" size=3D3><br><br> Dear Colleagues,<br><br> I enclose a report of the latest IFJ Executive Committee meeting on 8-9th June 02. Please contact me if you want more information or full documents.<br> <div align=3D"right">Jim Boumelha<br> </font><font face=3D"Arial Black, Helvetica" size=3D3= color=3D"#000080"><u>Jimboumel@aol.com<br> </u></i></font></div> <font face=3D"Arial, Helvetica"= size=3D4>__________________________________________________________________= ______<br><br> </font><font face=3D"Arial Black, Helvetica" size=3D4 color=3D"#0000FF"><b>1= . Attendance<br> </b></font><font face=3D"Arial, Helvetica" size=3D3>Welcome to two observers= , Tom Carpenter of AFTRA and Adolphe Bernotas of TNG. Apologies received from Soren Wormslev who was replaced by reserve advisor Andreas Kannaouros.<br> .<br> </font><font face=3D"Arial Black, Helvetica" size=3D4 color=3D"#0000FF"><b>2= .<x-tab> </x-tab>Minutes of Executive Committee Meeting, Stockholm, Oct 01<br> </b></font><font face=3D"Arial, Helvetica" size=3D3>Gustl Glattfelder questioned the manner in which the Washington meeting venue had been selected and asked for this to be noted in the minutes. I supported him stressing that, as a point of principle, the EC should be responsible for making the final decision.<br><br> </font><font face=3D"Arial Black, Helvetica" size=3D4 color=3D"#0000FF"><b>3= . Safety Meeting<br> </b></font><font face=3D"Arial, Helvetica" size=3D3>3.1. <u>Safety in News Reporting: Guidelines</u> <br> It was agreed that the meeting on Safety was a success. The main lines adopted were that safety issues require practical action, that they should be a matter for industrial relations, and that action in this area requires a coalition of interested groups. Also discussed were particular problems for freelances and a lack of understanding of the issues among management.<br> I expressed concern about adopting and promoting a new set of international guidelines as we already had the IFJ International Code of Practice for the Safe Conduct of Journalism adopted by many unions. I also proposed adding questions of anti-terrorism legislation, the neutrality of journalists and the definition of terrorism to the action plan. <br> </font>Linda Foley urged the EC to recognise the new document as a consensus set of guidelines developed with other groups in the United States<b>.<br><br> <br><br> </b>3.2. <u>Terrorism and Media Report<br> </u>The General Secretary<b> </b>introduced the updated report on Journalism, Civil Liberties and the War on Terrorism which drew on input from member unions. In summary he noted that the role of the United States remains central to developments --there is a debate on the consequences for civil liberties, the problem of self-censorship and bias. In Europe countries have joined the US in adopting laws, unthinkable a few years ago, that allow access to private e-mails and data records. There is also increased pressure on journalists to reveal sources of information. Finally, he noted increased the physical risks to journalists.<br> <br> 3.3. <u>Follow-up Actions: Proposal for International News Safety Institute<br> </u>The EC discussed and adopted a proposal to establish an International News Safety Institute after initial discussions with the International Press Institute. The new institute, to be launched on World Press Freedom day 2003, would involve a coalition of organisations and aims to make available equipment and basic training to smaller companies and freelances who cannot afford the heavy costs involved in the full safety-training package<b><i>. <br><br> </i><font face=3D"Arial Black, Helvetica" size=3D4 color=3D"#0000FF">4. Repo= rt of the General Secretary<br> </b></font><font size=3D3>The General Secretary listed the crises currently developing in the Middle East,</font><font size=3D4> </font><font size=3D3>i= n Italy and in Venezuela. He also referred to problems in Morocco and in Turkey, an area of concern over human rights standards and basic trade union rights. <br> He said that in response to demands from member unions, the Secretariat is trying to coordinate work on solidarity and to highlight globalisation issues. Many unions were engaged in serious disputes. <br><br> 4.1. <u>Future Congress Preparation<br> </u>Future congress preparations were reported.<br> The Greek unions are offering to host the next Congress in Athens in 2004 which would include an international conference on Journalism and Sport immediately prior to the Congress to take advantage of worldwide interest in the Olympic Games. They would <br> cover all the accommodation and meal costs of 200 participants and the IFJ secretariat for the Congress period. An all-in registration fee of =80 600 Euros per participant, for a five-day stay in this venue would go a long towards covering the costs of travel for delegates from developing countries. <br> The EC finally agreed that Congress will be held in Athens on the dates and venue proposed and that the General Secretary should prepare a fuller report on all issues related to themes, organisation and content .<br> <dl> <dd>4.2. <u>Missions<br><br> </u> </dl><i>a) Palestine<br> </i>The General Secretary briefed the meeting on the last safety mission to Palestine and mentioned the distribution of 100 medical kits and 15 flak jackets for Palestinian camera people and announced plans for the next mission to Palestine involving high-ranking representatives from IFJ unions in Italy, France, UK, Sweden, and Greece. <br> He went on to discuss the correspondence and criticism of the IFJ by the Nederlandse Vereniging van Journalisten (NVJ), which had been circulated widely within the IFJ. The Dutch colleagues have been invited to join the mission, but they declined because they feel that the mission has to be independent.<br><br> <b><i>(i) IFJ Correspondence with the NVJ: </i></b>The EC considered correspondence with Hans Verploeg of the NVJ and the additional reaction from the Cagdas Gazeticiler Dernegi (Progressive Journalists Association) in Turkey. The following motion was passed unanimously after amendments:<br><br> While recognising the continuing need for appropriate use of language in dealing with delicate and highly contentious matters, the Executive Committee:<br> a) Endorses the secretariat=92s prompt and appropriate response to developments in the Middle East, and<br> b) directs the General Secretary to continue to monitor and respond to attacks on Press Freedom and Journalists=92 Safety in the region.<br><br> <b><i>(ii) The Mission to Palestine:</i> </b>The objectives of the mission were agreed as follows:<br> </font><font face=3D"Symbol" size=3D3>=B7</font>to follow up on the establishment of a Safety Centre for Palestinians<br> <font face=3D"Symbol" size=3D3>=B7</font>to encourage a co-ordinated respons= e from IFJ member unions to recent events in the region;<br> <font face=3D"Symbol" size=3D3>=B7</font>to engage in dialogue with Israeli journalists on their problems reminding them that they are in the IFJ and not excluded from our considerations<br> <font face=3D"Symbol" size=3D3>=B7</font>to hold another meeting with the Government Press Office so that our unions can express their concerns.<br> <font face=3D"Symbol" size=3D3>=B7</font>To meet with Palestinian journalist= s and to estimate the damage done to the media infrastructure following recent Israeli military incursions.<br><br> <b><i><u>(</u>iii) IFJ Relations with the Arab world: </i></b>The EC discussed the strategy needed to strengthen IFJ contacts with Arab journalists unions and bring them into membership. Actions to be taken:<br> a)The IFJ is committed to establish relations with independent unions in the Arab world<br> b)The Executive Committee instructs the GS to establish direct contact with the Egyptian union<br> c)The secretariat should prepare a strategy for building bridges with unions in the Arab world<br> d)Then IFJ agrees to send someone to the AFJ meeting in=20 October.<br><br> <i>b) Turkey<br> </i>Gustl Glattfelder presented a draft report. The Turkish union, the TGS, has done an excellent job and made it possible for the mission to meet with all relevant individuals. From the humanitarian aspect, the mission was not able to visit journalists in jail. He explained the difficulties encountered by the union. The EC agreed that the IFJ/ EFJ must continue to raise these issues with the EU to which Turkey is a candidate country. <br><br> <i>c) Iran<br> </i>The General Secretary presented the Iran mission report and briefed the meeting about journalists being directly involved in the struggle. He referred to the proposals at the end of the report.<br> I commented that, although the IFJ's mission could be seen as a historical visit, the report was five months old and the remarks made by US President George Bush in his =93axis of evil=94speech have encouraged the hardliners.<br> The EC endorsed the recommendations in the report.<br><br> <i>d) Venezuela<br> </i>Gregorio Salazar urged the IFJ to express solidarity with Venezuelan colleagues and to restore the balance between the media and president Chavez. It was agreed to send a mission immediately after the meeting.<br><br> <br> <i>e) Morocco<br> </i>The General Secretary said that the timing of a mission to Morocco and the situation remain difficult. The union has problems and the GS of the union, M=92Jahed Younouss, is involved in a court case to get his job back. <br> I argued that, in view of the campaign against the union and its GS, the IFJ must support this syndicate at all cost -- if it were to be destroyed it would be a huge setback for the whole region.<br><br> Members endorsed the Administrative Committee decision to send a mission to Morocco. I helped draft a communique which was adopted.<br> In addition, Juan Antonio Prieto said that Younouss had problems entering in to the USA. He was detained for two hours and questioned about his work, specifically about writing on Iran. <br><br> 4.3. <u>Project Activities<br><br> </u>The Projects Director, Oliver Money-Kyrle, presented the report on current and planned projects, including a regional breakdown and a list of current applications. Recent changes in the Projects office included <font size=3D4> </font><font size=3D3>Stefania Bork, hired to run the Mediterranean Project, and Bertrand Ginet, to replace Isabella Haaf as Africa Projects Officer.<br> There are two global journalism prizes: Lorenzo Natali prize and a global prize on tolerance. Both will be based on regional organisation. He proposed to organise a meeting with all relevant project staff from the regions in the IFJ headquarters later in the year.<br> In response to questions Oliver explained that the project office does not actually spend all of the =80 4 million it receives. There is a trend to regionalise projects supported by the EU which is why there is a need to transfer the skills from Brussels to the regional offices, so that they can to approach donors and do the project applications themselves.<br><br> 4.4. <u>Relations with Other Organisations<br><br> </u><i>a) Global Union Federations<br> </i>The General Secretary presented the report on the Global Union Federations Annual Meeting and confirmed that he had since met with Guy Ryder, the new General Secretary of the ICFTU. The report recommended calling a meeting between the IFJ, PSI, EI and UNI to discuss joint activities in line with Congress resolutions 1-7 and to share information on globalisation strategies.<br><br> <i>b) International Press Institute<br> </i>Notwithstanding the dispute with the IPI on Korea the EC endorsed the proposal to hold a joint meeting of senior IPI and IFJ representatives.<br><br> <i>c) World Economic Forum<br> </i>The General Secretary reported his attendance at WEF in New York. Beth Costa, who represented the IFJ at the World Social Forum in Porte Alegre, proposed a better and more co-ordinated approach in future. The event attracted over 10,000 delegates from different organisations. <br> I proposed to increase IFJ activity on racism and intolerance with the UNHRC and UNESCO. The October report on terrorism also endorsed this activity and the recent rise in support for the far right in Europe requires addressing urgently. I asked for the International Media Working Group on racism and Xenophobia, IMRAX, to be=20 relaunched.<br><br> <br><br> 4.5. <u>Regional Reports<br><br> </u><i>4.5.1. Africa<br> (a) IFJ Mission report Kenya and Tanzania:<br> </i>Herbert Lumansi asked for a strong condemnation of the new Tanzanian anti-terrorism law that provides for the death penalty to journalists supporting terrorism. He said that a similar draft law in Kenya also needs to be condemned. <br> M=92Jahed Younouss<b> </b>asked about the IFJ=92s overall strategy for Africa. For example there is a new IFJ office in Dakar and an IFJ Centre in Algiers, but we do not know what they are doing. He proposed a regional meeting to review the situation and develop an overarching strategy.<br> I also raised questions of the strategy in Africa noting the large amount of funds spent on projects in comparison with the failure of the unions to develop. Arnold Amber proposed using the September WAJA meeting as an opportunity to debate these issues.<br><br> <i>(b) SAUJ Crisis Follow up:</i>The GS reported that the SAUJ in South Africa is seeking financial support from the IFJ. This was rejected by the Administrative Committee, but the IFJ should provide moral support.<br><br> <i>4.5.2. Asia-Pacific<br><br> (a) Asia Pacific Office Report:</i></font><font size=3D4> </font><font size=3D3>Jacqui Park, the co-ordinator of the office, highlighted the success of the project work with the Alliance of Independent Journalists, AJI, in Indonesia and its transformation into a trade union developing genuine branches and negotiating agreements. The office has also been supporting the East Timor Journalists' Association.<br><br> <i>b) Eurasia Media Forum and Relations with the FES and IFJ Affiliates in India:</i> A report on the Eurasia Media Forum<b> </b>and Relations with FES and IFJ affiliates in India was discussed, emphasising South Asia and Central Asia as priorities for activities.<br> Yoshitane Okuda requested IFJ condemnation of the Human Rights Protection Bill and the Data Protection Bill, which all threaten media freedom in Japan. <br> A proposal from Andreas Kannaouros suggested developing or restoring relations with the All China Journalists Association. The President stated that the All China Journalists Association is an arm of the state and that they remain a long way short of IFJ membership requirements</font><font size=3D4>.<br><br> </font><font size=3D3><i>4.5.3. Europe<br><br> </i>Gustl Glattfelder, Senior Vice President, presented the report -- he highlighted the success of the Trade Union of Croatian Journalists (TUCJ) in establishing the first collective agreement with the German WAZ Group. <br> I drew attention to the outbreak of strikes in Europe recently including the demonstrations against Berlusconi in Italy, the strikes against low pay in the UK and the success of striking colleagues in Greece and Norway. I argued that the IFJ should welcome recent successes, but must be prepared to defend the European Social Model currently under attack. <br> Special reports on Serbia and Russia were endorsed.<br><br> <br><br> <br> <i>4.5.4. Latin America<br><br> a) Colombia Centre:</i></font><font size=3D4> </font><font size=3D3>Juan Antonio Prieto<b> </b>presented the report on the Colombia Solidarity Centre.Concerns remain over security and local opposition to the centre. The situation is highly complex in terms of professional independence and the safety of journalists.<br> <br> <i>b) Report of the Latin American Office:</i></font><font size=3D4> </font><font size=3D3>Gregorio Salazar reported on the alarming conditions= facing journalists in Latin America. At least eight events are planned by= the office for the rest of 2002.<br> Vice-President Osvaldo Urriolabeitia confirmed how journalists were facing= the darkest phase of globalisation. The politicians and owners have been so= efficient in the adoption of globalisation and the inequality of wealth= distribution<b><i>.<br><br> </b>4.5.5. Middle East<br><br> a) Algeria Centre:<b> </i></b>It was reported that the IFJ had legal= responsibility for the Centre and unless there is a contractual arrangement= on its future there is a danger that the Algerian government will take it= back. <br><br> <i>4.5.6. North America<br><br> </i>Arnold Amber said the major challenge is increasing media cross= ownership which directly threatens diversity and independence. The rules on= cross ownership have recently been relaxed in Canada and are under threat= in the US. He also reported threats to editorial independence at= CanWest.<br><br> </font><font face=3D"Arial Black, Helvetica" size=3D4= color=3D"#0000FF">5.Report of the Admin Committee<br> </font> <dl> <dl><font size=3D3> <dd>5.1. <u>Financial Report</u>=20 </dl> </dl>As Treasurer I presented the audited accounts for 2001 and current= accounts as of 31 May 2002. I also presented the budget for 2002. They were= all agreed.<br><br> 5.2. <u>Financial arrangements<br> </u>All recommendations made by the Admin Committee were endorsed. The= Brazilian union FENAJ, was in financial difficulkties and proposed paying= $2000 a month until the end of December.<br><br> 5.3. <u>Safety Fund<br> </u>I presented a report for developing the IFJ Safety fund which will be= debated at the next EC after circulation to affiliates<b><i>.<br> </i></b> <dl> <dd>5.4. <u>Membership Matters</u> <dl> <dd>The Administrative Committee recommendations were agreed to (i)= admit the National Union of Journalists, Philippines as associate members,= (ii) defer the application of the Bangladesh Journalists=92 Rights Forum ,= (iii) defer the admission the<b> </b>Timor Lorosa=92e Journalists=92= Association and<i> </i>to continue to work with everybody, (iv) defer= the application of the Working Journalists Association and Union of= Journalists of Sri Lanka<i>, </i>(v) defer the admission of the Union of= Employees in Education, Journalist, Libraries (Senjousmel) of Rwanda, (vi)= admit the National Trade Union of Cameroon Journalists, (vii) defer= admission of<b> </b>the Journalists=92 Association of Serbia, (viii) reject= an application from the National Union of Journalists of Pakistan and (ix)= readmit the Chilean's Fenetramco. A vote was taken to refer the appeal from= the CIOJ UK and Ireland to the forthcoming IFJ Congress. Finally it was= agreed to further investigate the position of the Austrian's Drunk und= Paper Union, Journalists Section.<br><br> <br><br> </dl> </dl>5.5. <u>Review of work of General Secretary<br> </u>The Administrative Committee's negotiated new three-year contract with= the GS was agreed.<br><br> </font><font face=3D"Arial Black, Helvetica" size=3D4 color=3D"#0000FF">6.= Current Working Programme<br><br> </font><font size=3D3>Reports from the Broadcasting and Authors' Rights= campaigns, the Freelance and Labour Rights Expert groups were noted.<br> Regarding the Gender Council, the EC endorsed proposals that the Brussels= meetings should be constituted as a steering group, that the full= Gender Council should meet at least twice during the Congress period, once= between Congresses and once just prior to Congress. <br> On Globalisation, the EC asked the GS to put in place a new structure by= November including the creation of a weblist for alert and easy access to= information. New agreements will be made available and unions encouraged= to use international standards as a means of defence against the= worst impact of globalisation.<br><br> </font><font face=3D"Arial Black, Helvetica" size=3D4 color=3D"#0000FF">7.= Next Meeting<br><br> </font><font size=3D3>The next Executive Committee Meeting will take place= in Brussels on 16th/17th November 2002. This will be preceded, on 15th= November, by the Lorenzo Natali Prize ceremony in the morning, and meetings= of the Gender Council, the Regional<i> </i>Working Party on the= Constitution and the Administrative Committee in the afternoon.= </font><font size=3D4> <br><br> <div align=3D"right"><b>Jim Boumelha<br> 10 July 2002<br><br> <br><br> </font></b></div> </html> --=====================_4887417==.ALT-- --=======7B4D173======= Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; x-avg=cert; x-avg-checked=avg-ok-BD06E2E Content-Disposition: inline --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. 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