By Khaled Jabbar
TUNIS, June 11 (KUNA) -- Naji Al-Bghouri, President of the Tunisian Union of Journalists, on Tuesday called on the Arab Group in the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) to coordinate for robust representation in the international body.
Speaking to KUNA on sidelines of the 30th IFJ World Congress, Al-Bghouri noted that it is the first time the international association holds such an event in the Middle East and Africa.
He expressed aspiration to bolster role of the Arab media within the union that represents more than 600,000 journalists worldwide.
The association plays a significant role in support for the freedom of the press, thus the Arab Group "should be strong and able to win robust representation in it." The convention, due on June 11-14, groups 300 participants representing journalists unions and associations across the world. Future of journalism in the digital age is the top of its agenda, according to an IFJ press release.
The Congress, the first to be held in an Arab country, features debates on three key issues: the future of journalism in the digital age, good trade union practices around the world and the "situation of journalism in the Middle East after the Arab Revolutions." Delegates are also discussing a new "IFJ Global Charter of Ethics for Journalists", which was first adopted in 1954 by the IFJ's World Congress and last amended in 1986. The Congress will also elect a new IFJ President and Executive Committee.
Current IFJ President is Philippe Leruth. The Brussels-based IFJ has 600,000 members from more than 180 affiliated unions in 140 countries. (end) ksj.nk.hb.rk