» SubscribeMain section
-
Top story
IFJ call for debate as cartoons cost editor his job
DATELINE: 2/2/06
The role of media in promoting better understanding between different cultures calls for a “robust and frank” dialogue among journalists and media professionals said the International Federation of Journalists today, commenting on the row over cartoons in Danish media which have sparked outrage in some parts of the Muslim world. The IFJ is calling for media on all sides to avoid actions that might provoke community tensions both at home and abroad. The IFJ has also expressed concern at the dismissal of French editor, Jacques Lefranc of France Soir, for printing a new cartoon and reprinting the Danish cartoon, which it says “sends a dangerous signal about unacceptable pressure on independent journalism.” The IFJ says that Arab-world governments calling for political action against media are guilty of undue interference in the work of journalists.
The IFJ is planning to relaunch the International Media Working Group Against Racism and Xenophobia (IMRAX) this year and says the controversy over a series of cartoons commissioned and published by the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten, showing images of the Muslim prophet Mohammed, which are deeply offensive to many Muslims, has opened up a professional divide over questions of free expression and cultural sensitivity.
“These are dangerous times for community relations and media have to tread carefully, but they must not compromise fundamental principles as they do so,” said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary, on a visit to Doha at an international media forum organised by the Arab satellite ChannelAl-Jazeera.
White said that widespread reporting of the cartoonists’ issue in the Arab world failed to appreciate the importance of free expression, although media were rightly drawing attention to the offence that the newspaper had caused. Since the issue has been raised other newspapers in Europe have joined the controversy by reprinting the cartoons.
“This affair shows that there are two distinct views about press freedom, based upon different traditions, we need to respect these different points of view without compromising the cardinal principles of journalism,” said White. “In particular, political interventions are unacceptable. This is an ethical issue which must be discussed, debated and resolved by journalists. Governments should keep their hands out of the newsroom and stopinterfering.”
White said that controversy over the cartoons revealed a gulf in understanding that needs to be corrected through an awareness-raising exercise allowing journalists from the Muslim world and colleagues from other religious and cultural traditions to learn the lessons of recentevents.
“This row has been rumbling along for months and now the temperature is being turned up in a way that helps no-one,” said White. “It is time to talk through the differences that have been exposed without confrontation.” The IFJ Congress in Greece in 2004 called for the relaunching of IMRAX in the light of concerns over growing racism and intolerance in many countries, much of it reinforced by fears over terrorism and public anxiety over migration and asylum policy.
For further information contact the IFJ: +32 2 235 22 07
LINKSInternational Federation of Journalists
Last modified: Thursday, February 2, 2006
Previous free speech & censorship stories
All the news that doesn't fit
Gagging the truth
Borris Johnson vows 'I'll go to jail to print the truth'
UK paper gagged over Aljazeera memo
Freedom of Information Blockage
FoI training from the Campaign for Freedom of information
Journalists worldwide protest Canada's news lockout
Australia gets tough on journalists
Government to consult over Freedom of Information and the PCC
A law unto itself
Community Newspaper uses FoI Act
Open the Books!
Freedom of speech - the global challenge
IFEX handbook on free expression campaigns
A message from the McLibel two
Using FoI
Freedom At Last?
Congratulations
Lobbying, FoI and News International
-
Notices
Events & Announcements
World Press Freedom Day
More reporters are currently imprisoned in Turkey than in any other country in the world. Only a matter of weeks ago lawyers failed to persuade a Turkish court to release a 76-year-old journalist from a Turkish internet news station.
World Press Freedom Day on Friday May 3, 2013 is being marked in Britain by a rally to highlight the dangers facing journalists in Turkey and in this podcast, Nicholas Jones speaks to Barry White, Organiser at the Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom, and Sam Bamford, the TUC's policy officer for Eastern Europe and Africa about the importance of a campaign to highlight international press freedom.
The World Press Freedom Day rally is being staged by the National Union of Journalists at the NUJ head office, Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1 on Thursday May 2, 6pm-8pm.
DATELINE: 27/4/13
UK launch of EU media campaign
DATELINE: 13/3/13
The UK launch of a 'European Citizens' Initiative' calling for EU rules against concentration of media power will take place on Thursday March 21 from 11:00am – 12:30pm in Committee Room 4A at the House of Lords, London. Guest speakers will include actor and activist Hugh Grant (pictured), media consultant Claire Enders, Professor Steven Barnett, Barry McCall (President of the NUJ) and Marc Gruber (Director of the European Federation of Journalists).
A European Citizens' Initiative is an official petition, like a Downing Street petition. If it succeeds in gathering a million signatures across the EU, the Commission is obliged to respond.
This petition calls for the EU to act to protect media pluralism and press freedom.
CPBF Annual General Meeting
DATELINE: 1/3/13
Make a note in your diary
Saturday 13 July 2013 from 10.00am
NUJ HQ, 308/312 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1.
Leveson, media ownership, CPBF future work.
DOWNLOAD FREEPRESS NOW
DATELINE: 26/3/10
Download Freepress in PDF, ePub or mobi format. Issue 194 now available.
MEDIA FOR ALL CONFERENCE
DATELINE: 26/3/10
Papers from the Media for All Conference
MEDIA MANIFESTO
DATELINE: 26/3/10
The media’s job is to inform and entertain us but we rely on them too to tell us what our rulers and representatives are up to. In the run-up to the Iraq war the government used spin and disinformation in the media to create panic and mislead people. The truth is coming out now, but we need stronger, more independent media to be able to scrutinise governments and make informed choices.
-
Previous stories
Free Speech & Censorship
All the news that doesn't fit
Gagging the truth
Borris Johnson vows 'I'll go to jail to print the truth'
UK paper gagged over Aljazeera memo
Freedom of Information Blockage
FoI training from the Campaign for Freedom of information
Journalists worldwide protest Canada's news lockout
Australia gets tough on journalists
Government to consult over Freedom of Information and the PCC
A law unto itself
Community Newspaper uses FoI Act
Open the Books!
Freedom of speech - the global challenge
IFEX handbook on free expression campaigns
A message from the McLibel two
Using FoI
Freedom At Last?
Congratulations
Lobbying, FoI and News International
