Informed 12


International IFJ100


Journalists’ safety was also a recurring theme at the International Federation of Journalists’ (IFJ) Centenary Congress.


NUJ


Te NUJ’s four motions all passed unanimously at the conference, held in Paris from 4 to 7 May. Gerry Curran, NUJ joint president,


drew atention to the Journalists’ Safety Tracker, encouraging sister unions to similarly monitor and document instances of intimidation, abuse and lawfare. “As custodians of a proud tradition of resistance, it beholds us to recommit ourselves to the defence of journalism and to make media freedom an integral part of our work programme,” said Curran. Te motion called on the IFJ to reinvigorate campaigns against the erosion of press freedom around the world and collate information to address atacks against asylum-seeking journalists.


Another NUJ motion focused specifically on the harassment, threats and violence experienced by Iranian journalists and their families, both in Iran and in the UK. NUJ delegate Hanif Mazrooei shared his experience working as a journalist for BBC Persian. “For about 10 years, the Iranian government has harassed, prosecuted, and even detained the families of my colleagues,” he said. Mazrooei urged the IFJ to strengthen


its international advocacy efforts through the United Nations to oppose the campaign of harassment against Iranian journalists working in the UK, while also calling for renewed support for the re-establishment of the Association of Iranian Journalists (AoIJ), which has been banned since 2009. “Now more than ever, Iranian journalists need a union to defend them and their rights,” Mazrooei said. Georgina Morris, vice-president, moved the NUJ’s motion calling for a global windfall tax on tech giants to support the preservation of the media industry, as


those from regions oſten neglected or on the margins of debate in international federations,” said Séamus Dooley, assistant general secretary. Te NUJ will continue to play a


prominent role in the IFJ as Laura Davison, general secretary, was elected to the Executive Council. “Te NUJ has a proud history of international solidarity through our work with the IFJ, contributing 16 presidents and hosting six Congresses over the past 100 years,” said Davison. “I look forward to working with colleagues from sister unions to ensure that the IFJ remains a strong voice for journalists and journalism around the world.” While in Paris, the NUJ delegation


outlined in the NUJ’s News Recovery Plan. “Our motion addresses an issue which you will all be familiar with – the impact of tech giants amassing unprecedented amounts of wealth at the expense of the rest of the global economy,” said Morris. “Te tech giants work at a global scale and we need a global response.” A fourth NUJ motion on global campaigning for public service broadcasting – a key theme of the conference – also passed unanimously. Meanwhile the IFJ organised an event


to honour the contributions of Jim Boumelha, who stepped down aſter three consecutive terms as treasurer having also served as the IFJ’s president from 2007 to 2016. “Jim’s service cannot simply be measured in years but in the quality of his contribution to each role he has held, his willingness to travel and to engage with affiliates, especially


Journalists working in conflict and disaster zones around the world need your help. Te IFJ is


supplying vital equipment and aid. Please donate to its safety fund. Branches can email jackiec@nuj. org to transfer funds from their


management allowances. DONATE NOW


also took time to meet members of the Paris branch and joined an event to mark World Press Freedom Day on 3 May. Last year was again one of the deadliest


on record with 128 journalists and media workers killed, according to the IFJ. Despite journalists’ status as civilians under the Geneva Convention, a high number of deaths were in conflict zones – including Sudan, Yemen, and Ukraine. In March the NUJ welcomed Sergiy Tomilenko, National Union of Journalists of Ukraine president, at Headland House in London to discuss Russia’s use of drones to target Ukrainian journalists and why local printed papers remain a source of hope to frontline communities. Almost half of journalist deaths in 2025 were in Gaza, with 56 Palestinian journalists and media workers killed. Te deliberate targeting of journalists by Israeli forces has continued in Lebanon. Te NUJ has writen again to the foreign office urging the UK government to exert pressure on the Israeli government for its persistent targeting of journalists, facilitate an International Criminal Court investigation, and urgently protect media workers in the Middle East. Tis includes supporting a binding UN Convention on the safety and protection of journalists that would require states to protect journalists in all circumstances, investigate every crime, and prosecute the perpetrators.


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