Media reform a central part of reconstruction after Asian tsunami tragedy, says IFJ
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has written to the United Nations calling on media reform to be a central part of the reconstruction effort following the devastation of the Asian earthquake and tsunami.
The President of the IFJ has written to the Secretary General of the United Nations calling on him to remind world leaders at Thursday’s Jakarta summit on tsunami aid of the importance of a free, independent and open media.
“In the reconstruction of the affected areas, we ask that you urge all countries to continue to build on the process of transparency and democracy,” said IFJ President Christopher Warren in the letter to the Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan.
“We welcome the decision of the Indonesian Government to open up Aceh to both local and foreign journalists. This is an important step in the continuing democratisation of that country,” said the President of the IFJ, the organisation representing over 500,000 journalists in 130 organisations in 105 countries - including Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, India, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Mauritius and Kenya.
“We also welcome the withdrawal of treason charges against four leading democracy activists in the Maldives,” said Warren.
“However, it is not too much to say that the inability of journalists in some of the affected countries to simply do their job has cost lives -- whether it be through the lack of external journalistic scrutiny in Aceh, the continued repression in the Maldives or the interference in government run media in Sri Lanka.
“As the world community moves to the needed reconstruction in the affected countries, it is essential that that reconstruction go hand in hand with the continued process of media reform.
“That’s why I am writing to you in advance of this week’s Jakarta summit on aid to the affected areas to ask that you convey a simply message: a free media, independent public broadcasters and democratic societies are among the most significant safeguards – now and in the future,” said Warren in the letter.
Journalists around the world have united in support of their colleagues in those Asian and African countries ravaged by the tsunami that struck on 26 December 2004. In response to the tragedy the IFJ launched a global appeal among journalists’ organisations to assist journalists and their families.
“Journalists and media workers have not been immune from the tragedy and we already know that many of our friends and colleagues from the countries affected are dead or missing,” said Warren.
“Many have had to confront the immensity of the tragedy in bringing news of the disaster to their local communities and to the world.”
For further information, please contact Christopher Warren on +61 411 757 668.
The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 100 countries.
Click here to view the media release online: http://www.ifj-asia.org/page/tsunami050105.html
Click here to view the letter to Kofi Annan online: http://www.ifj-asia.org/page/annan050104.html
