{"id":592,"date":"2021-04-23T00:57:52","date_gmt":"2021-04-23T00:57:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/x7t.a3b.myftpupload.com\/?page_id=592"},"modified":"2023-05-03T01:44:41","modified_gmt":"2023-05-03T01:44:41","slug":"union-wins","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/samsn.ifj.org\/SAPFR22-23\/union-wins\/","title":{"rendered":"Union Wins"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Union Wins<\/h1>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-30px|auto|-22px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”19px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||-1px|||” custom_padding=”||31px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The year in review, from May 2022 to April 2023, was a challenging one for the media and its unions across South Asia. Still reeling from the pandemic and the destruction it left in its wake — from loss of lives and loss of jobs to a shaky economy \u2013 unions struggled on many fronts to protect journalists\u2019 rights and press freedom. Despite bleak times, they endured to remain relevant and at the vanguard of change in their communities.<\/p>\n

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Three biggest issues for press freedom and media workers in Pakistan: <\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n
      \n
    1. Online attacks\/harassment<\/li>\n
    2. Legislation and government controls on human rights and freedom of expression<\/li>\n
    3. Civic unrest and violence<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Greatest concerns for media over the past year:<\/strong><\/p>\n

      Political instability, violence and threats from political and non-state actors, in addition to impunity<\/p>\n

      A key strategy undertaken as a campaign or organising issue in the past year and how the success was measured:<\/strong><\/p>\n

      We have filed a writ petition in the Islamabad High court against the government of Pakistan for the rights of working journalists. We have also conducted a survey to ascertain the issues and problems faced by working journalists and proposed amendments to the labour laws, engaging with high officials of the Federal Information Ministry.<\/p>\n

      In five words or less \u2013 what message do you have to share with IFJ and other unions?<\/strong><\/p>\n

      Join hands, fight for freedom.<\/p>\n

      Ihtsham Ul-Haq – Secretary Information & Coordinator<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

      Download PFUJ’s Legal Framework for Media Workers in Pakistan<\/a><\/p>\n

      \"\"<\/p>\n

      [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Journalists\u2019 Association of Bhutan (JAB)” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

      Three biggest issues for press freedom and media workers in Bhutan: <\/strong><\/p>\n

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      1. \n
          \n
        1. \n
            \n
          1. \n
              \n
            1. Media sustainability<\/li>\n
            2. Wage insecurity<\/li>\n
            3. Mis\/disinformation<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              Greatest concern for media over the past year:<\/strong>
              The union’s biggest concern is access to information, which has lately become restricted, leading to the inability of journalists to write stories of public interest with adequate clarity and depth.<\/p>\n

              A key strategy undertaken as a campaign or organising issue in the past year and how the success was measured:<\/strong>
              Journalists’ Association of Bhutan appealed to the Media Council of Bhutan, an independent watchdog of the media, to help facilitate easy access to information from public institutions like the Royal Civil Service Commission, Anti-Corruption Commission, the Judiciary, Office of the Attorney General, Royal Audit Authority, Royal Monetary Authority, and Druk Holding and Investment. However, the majority of the institutions are yet to share information critical for the public. Meanwhile, the government has no major issue when it comes to access to information.<\/p>\n

              In five words or less \u2013 what message do you have to share with IFJ and other unions?<\/strong>
              Help JAB for sustainability.<\/p>\n

              Rinzin Wangchuk – President<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

              \"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

              [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Free Media Movement (FMM) Sri Lanka” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n

              Three biggest issues for press freedom and media workers in Sri Lanka: <\/strong><\/p>\n

                \n
              1. \n
                  \n
                1. Wage insecurity<\/li>\n
                2. Legislation and government controls on human rights and freedom of expression<\/li>\n
                3. State intimidation and harassment<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                  Greatest concerns for media over the past year:<\/strong>
                  Especially due to the economic crisis, many print media organisations have closed and therefore media workers lost their jobs..<\/p>\n

                  A key strategy undertaken as a campaign or organising issue in the past year and how the success was measured:<\/strong>
                  When Lakehouse <\/em>newspaper suspended Manjula Samarasekara in an arbitrary manner, the Free Media Movement issued a press release and sent a letter to the Ministry of Media to pay attention and forced him do justice. As a result of that attempt, Manjula Samarasekara was reinstated within a few weeks.<\/p>\n

                  In five words or less \u2013 what message do you have to share with IFJ and other unions?<\/strong>
                  Collaborate for professional justice.<\/p>\n

                  Gayathri Nawarathna – Project Coordinator<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

                  [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Afghan Independent Journalists\u2019 Union (AIJU)” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n

                  Three biggest issues for press freedom and media workers in Afghanistan: <\/strong><\/p>\n

                    \n
                  1. \n
                      \n
                    1. Threats<\/li>\n
                    2. Physical attacks<\/li>\n
                    3. Legislation and government controls on human rights and freedom of expression<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                      Greatest concerns for media over the past year:<\/strong>
                      The biggest challenge in the Afghan media was economic problems, lack of access to information for journalists and arbitrary arrests.<\/p>\n

                      A key strategy undertaken as a campaign or organising issue in the past year and how the success was measured:<\/strong>
                      The AIJU established coordination meetings to build relationships and trust between journalists and government officials. In order to encourage journalists to engage in professional activities and expand freedom of expression, the Afghan Independent Journalists Union organised a media award in Afghanistan, in which three journalists received a cash prize of up to $1000.<\/p>\n

                      In five words or less \u2013 what message do you have to share with IFJ and other unions?<\/strong>
                      Support journalists and freedom of speech.<\/p>\n

                      Farhad Behroz – Vice President<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

                      \"\"<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

                      [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Federation of Media Employees Trade Union (FMETU) Sri Lanka” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n