P.O. Box 21, G.P.O. Marsa - Malta Tel: (+356) 2131 6958 Mob: (+356) 9945 0746
E-mail: joeavella@onvol.net
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PRESS RELEASES
12 June, 2008 IGM LAUNCHES 18TH EDITION OF MALTA JOURNALISM AWARDS The Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM) launched the 18th edition of the annual press awards known as the Malta Journalism Awards, with 12 categories today. Apart from the journalist himself/herself, Editors and Heads of News Departments may select and submit entries of what they consider to be the best work of any individual journalist/s, irrespective of whether that journalist belongs to the same newsroom or not. Submissions can also be forwarded by organisations, corporations and bodies. In both cases, consent has to be given by the individual journalist/s concerned by filling the appropriate part on the Official Application Form prior to submission of entry by Editor, Head of News Department, or organisations/corporations/bodies. "The Malta Journalism Awards are an annual event which any journalist worth his salt must look forward to. The Institute of Maltese Journalists puts a lot of effort into organising the event, but it is thanks to our sponsors, who continually lend their support to this prestigious event, that we are ever grateful," said IGM chairman Malcolm J. Naudi. The 12 categories are: Broadcast categories: General categories: This year's edition of the Gold Award is being sponsored by Fondazzjoni Tumas Fenech ghall-Edukazzjoni fil-Gurnalizmu. More details about this particular award will be announced at a later date. Following recommendations by previous judging panels, the Institute draws the attention of journalists to the following points: a) only coverages that were made overseas by the
journalist concerned are to be submitted in the Travel Journalism
category; Prizes The winner of the special category entitled 'Il-Lingwa Nazzjonali fil-Gurnalizmu' will be presented with the Malta Journalism Award trophy for that category. Announcement of Finalists Presentation Ceremony All Maltese journalists may participate Closing Date Regulations and applications may be obtained either by phoning IGM Mr Joe A. Vella on 2131-6958/ 9945-0746 or from the website: www.maltapressclub.org.mt.
IGM CONSULTATION ON FUTURE OF JOURNALISTIC
PROFESSION IN MALTA Press Release Date: 5 May 2008
The Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM) associates itself with the statement issued on this occasion by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), of which the IGM is the Malta affiliate, which says that global battles for safety, decent work and quality journalism can only be won if journalists stand together in defence of their rights. In that statement, the IFJ called for “a renewal of global solidarity among journalists to combat the threats facing media”, quoting its president, Jim Boumelha, as saying: “The future of journalism depends upon building fresh solidarity. Our work is at the heart of the struggle for democracy and human rights.” The IFJ says the future of journalism will not be guaranteed by politically-inspired publicity stunts, or by dumbing down media and cutting editorial budgets. In Europe, Arne Konig, who chairs the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), said: “World Press Freedom Day gives us an opportunity to showcase how quality journalism is vital for democracy and can only be achieved when journalists have access to decent working conditions and respect for their role.” The EFJ says that pressure on journalists to reveal sources of information and residual political interference are key challenges facing journalists and media. Konig goes on to say: “But we cannot ignore the impact of the economic crisis that has overtaken much of Europe’s media. Quality journalism is suffering as media owners impose devastating cuts in editorial budgets.” In Malta, the American non-governmental organisation Freedom House has further downgraded press freedom in Malta this year, within the ‘Free’ category. Although the Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and of the press, these rights are also restricted “under a variety of circumstances”. “Malta is one of the few European Union countries not to have a Freedom of Information Act, which is why it is so important that this law should be enacted with urgency in this new legislature and we await the publication of the Bill in the Government Gazette,” IGM Chairman Malcolm J. Naudi insisted. The Freedom House report noted that the Broadcasting Authority “sued an independent television station for broadcasting material that could incite racial hatred”. Several journalists and photographers, including IGM council member Julia Farrugia, were injured while covering a protest by hunters and trappers in Valletta last year. The attack was the latest of a series of threats and attacks against journalists covering public demonstrations and debates in Malta. “We have just witnessed a general election campaign in which the media, including new media, played an important role, despite attempts by the main political parties to control the news agenda of the independent media to suit their partisan agendas at such a critical time for a democracy like Malta. “Sometimes, these attempts were not so subtle, as in the muzzling of political coverage on web portal www.di-ve.com following Government complaints on its political coverage. We hope that such episodes do not repeat themselves in future,” Naudi said. Despite the proliferation of media, rising standards and greater investment, it is vital for the media to remain in touch with the public and continue to fulfil its role to inform, educate and entertain. Journalists in Malta need to continue to fight to improve their professional status and media owners must continue to invest to ensure that they not only have the latest equipment but that their staff, especially journalists, will commit to their jobs in the long term. “The nature of the job means that long hours are spent to provide the service readers, viewers and listeners have come to expect, but journalists’ wages should also reflect this,” Naudi insisted. “At the same time, there should be greater
accountability and more awareness of the high ethical standards
journalists are meant to abide by to retain the trust that comes
with their position in society, since greater press freedom
also means greater responsibility,” the IGM Chairman added. Press Release 06/2008
Press Release 05/2008 Stqarrija ghall-Istampa NEWSLETTER GHALL-MEMBRI
07.02.2008 Journalists' Committee-IGM Protest against GO's muzzling of di-ve.com The Journalists' Committee together with the Institute of Maltese journalists this morning presented a letter of protest to the Chairman of GO against the newly declared corporate policy to ban all political coverage. In the letter (attached), the two representative
organisations of Maltese journalists condemn this policy, particularly
when the country is facing a general election and Maltese citizens
need information more than ever, before they go to vote. This is the text of the joint letter to Go's Chairman Sonny Portelli:
The Journalists' Committee The Institute of Maltese Journalists
7 February 2008 Dear Mr Portelli, As representatives of all Maltese media professionals, we would like to register our disapproval and condemnation of your company's newly declared corporate policy to stop your news portal di-ve.com from covering political activities and statements. As one of the foremost communications companies on the islands, we expect that the least GO could do for its customers and the Maltese public, particularly in the run-up to the general elections, is to continue offering updates and regular developments that are happening on the political scene. Since its launch, di-ve.com has been a news website and a regular reference point for its users. We hope you realise your company's decision is a disservice to your own customers, to the Maltese public in general and to political parties that need journalists to disseminate and analyse their programmes before our country is called to vote. It also humiliates our colleagues working in the di-ve.com newsroom. Besides the unacceptable interference from the company's board in editorial decisions that should remain di-ve.com's sole responsibility, your decision goes, in fact, against the very claims to corporate social responsibility as claimed by the company. We hope this mistaken decision is not the result of any political interference and we call on you to withdraw it with immediate effect and show again the trust and editorial freedom that the di-ve.com news team has enjoyed so far. We also appeal to the Dubai mother company, Tecom Investments, to realise this is a European country in which the free press is an essential part of our democracy. We hope the new owners of di-ve.com realise this to the full having decided to operate in a democratic country where politics is discussed, covered and criticised openly as is the case in the rest of the democratic world. Looking forward to your reassurances that the decision will be revoked, we remain your sincerely,
Karl Schembri ChairmanJournalists' Committee Malcolm NaudiChairman Institute of Maltese Journalists
Stqarrija ghall-istampa SOLIDARJETA' MAL-MEXXEJ LABURISTA Il-Kunsill ta' l-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin
(IGM) jesprimi s-solidarjeta' kollha tieghu mal-mexxej Laburista
Alfred Sant u l-qraba tieghu f'dan il-waqt difficli fil-hajja
tieghu. Il-Kunsill jawgura li l-operazzjoni fuq Dr Sant li ser
issir ghada tirnexxi u b'hekk ikun jista' jissokta bil-hidma
politika tieghu ghall-gid tal-pajjiz. Stqarrija ghall-Istampa ID-DRITTIJIET U D-DMIRIJIET TAL-MEDIA F'SOCJETÀ DEMOKRATIKA L-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin (IGM) ircieva ilment minn membru tieghu dwar storja pubblikata nhar it-Tlieta fil-gazzetta elettronika maltastar.com li tirrigwarda lil dan il-membru. Minghajr ma jidhol fil-merti partikolari ta' dan il-kaz, l-Istitut ihoss li l-fehma politika ta' individwu ma ghandha qatt tippregudika l-possibbiltà ta' mpjieg ta' xi hadd, hu min hu u jokkupa liema kariga jokkupa, sakemm l-individwu jkollu l-hiliet biex jaghmel ix-xoghol mitlub minn dik il-kariga. Madankollu l-Istitut ihoss li f'kaz ta' process li allegatament ma jkunx trasparenti l-media ghandha d-dmir u d-dritt li tinvestiga dawn l-istess allegazzjonijiet. Dan id-dritt fih aktar relevanza meta l-hatriet/impjiegi huma mhallsa mill-fondi pubblici bhal f'dan il-kaz tal-PBS. Jekk izda l-Gurnalist partikolari hassu ngurjat
bl-istorja ppubblikata sta ghalih li jfittex rimedju legali
jew mod iehor fil-konfront tal-gazzetta partikolari.
23 November 2007 Joint Press Statement: IGM and Journalists' Committee The Journalists' Committee and the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM) want to express their serious concern at the way the state public broadcaster is being systematically stripped of its public service ethos for commercial and political expediency. In a joint statement, IGM Chairman Malcolm Naudi and Journalists Committee Chairman Karl Schembri said: "The past months have served to confirm our suspicions throughout the PBS restructuring process launched by the Investments Ministry and which has stripped the workforce to one-third of its original complement. "Not only has the national broadcaster been rendered incapable of producing its own current affairs programmes, but the last indicting development to come out of PBS confirms that the registered editor, Sylvana Cristina, cannot even speak to her colleagues from the press and defend her own decisions. "With the ministry's declared policy of vetting and amending any statement given by workers falling under its portfolio, Cristina would be unable to participate in a discussion programme on PBS as she would need the ministry's go-ahead for whatever she says - a practice which goes to confirm how cut off the ministry is from the subject matter it is meant to be responsible for. "The same applies to PBS Chairman Joe Fenech Conti and Chief Executive Albert Debono, although it seems the two appointees are comfortable with this situation as they gladly resort to 'ministerial policies' whenever held to account by journalists for their decisions. "This is a very serious situation that puts the country's democratic credentials into question. Irrespective of the ministry's own set policies, Cristina remains answerable to the editorial board and to the public, and at law she remains solely and personally answerable for editorial content on the PBS stations. "And irrespective of the PBS Chairman and Chief Executive's preferences to be vetted by the ministry, the public deserves a free, transparent and accountable public broadcaster, unshackled from any suppression and able to expose and attack any attempts at its stations' manipulation. "We would like to remind the public that the PBS editorial board is still without a chairman, that the last editorial board report was compiled two years ago, and that the Broadcasting Authority itself has declared it cannot fathom who is calling the shots at our national broadcaster. "It is clear this situation cannot go on, even more so with an election round the corner, where the station will be required more than ever to give a public service to the citizens in reaching their informed decisions. "Whatever the rhetoric employed by the ministry and the PBS Chairman and Board of Directors, the PBS editorial board has made it amply clear through its public denunciations that its editorial decisions are constantly being ignored, overruled and nullified. We cannot afford even more resignations from the editorial wing because of this. It is the chairman and higher authority who have to reconsider their position and decide whether to focus on investments or public broadcasting."
Stqarrija Numru 19/2007 MALTA JOURNALISM AWARDS: L-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin (IGM) habbar il-Gurnalisti rebbieha tas-17-il edizzjoni tal-Malta Journalism Awards (MJA). Fl-istess cerimonja, Gurija indipendenti maghmulha minn Dr Roger Degiorgio, Frans Ghirxi u l-President Emeritus Guido de Marco bhala Chairman, habbret li Lino Cassar hu r-rebbieh tal-Gold Award. Il-President Emeritus Ugo Mifsud Bonnici ipprezenta l-Gold Award lis-sur Cassar. Dan l-unur jinghata lil persuna nnominata li skond il-Gurija tkun marret lilhinn minn rekwiziti ta' prattika normali fil-Gurnalizmu tul il-karriera Gurnalistika taghha. Fid-disa' edizzjonijiet li saru s'issa dan l-unur intrebah minn Fr Joe Borg (1998), Anton Cassar (1999), Frank Attard (2000), J.G. Vassallo (2001), Anthony Montanaro (2002), John Manduca (2003), Charles Grech Orr (2004), Pawlu Carachi (2005) u Paul Saliba (2006). Gurija indipendenti ohra mahtura mill-IGM biex tevalwa l-Malta Journalism Awards, u li kienet maghmulha minn Ranier Fsadni, Michael Schiavone u minn Anton Cassar bhala Chairman, tat dan ir-rizultat: Gurnalizmu Stampat - Ahbarijiet Gurnalizmu Stampat - Features Gurnalizmu Fotografiku Gurnalizmu Mxandar - Skript Televiziv Gurnalizmu Mxandar - Filmat Televiziv Gurnalizmu Mxandar - Radju Gurnalizmu Kulturali Gurnalizmu Sportiv Gurnalizmu Elettroniku (e-Journalism) L-Ilsien Nazzjonali fil-Gurnalizmu Il-Gurija tal-Malta Journalism Awards hejjiet ukoll rapport (mehmuz separatament) dwar is-sottomissjonijiet u l-livell Gurnalistiku taghhom. Rapport iehor thejja mill-Kunsill Nazzjonali ghall-Ilsien Malti dwar il-kategorija specjali L-Ilsien Malti fil-Gurnalizmu (li jinsab mehmuz ukoll ma' din l-istqarrija). F'din l-edizzjoni kien inawgurat trofew gdid iddisinjat
mill-artist Malti, Alfred Mizzi.
MALTA JOURNALISM AWARDS PRESS RELEASE: 22.08.2007 29 Finalist ghas-17-il edizzjoni tal-Malta
Journalism Awards L-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin (IGM) habbar l-ismijiet tad-29 finalist li lahqu l-istadju finali minn fost il-45 partecipant, ilkoll gurnalisti stabbiliti, li hadu sehem fil-kompetizzjoni gurnalistika Malta Journalism Awards. Din hi s-17-il edizzjoni konsekuttiva li l-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin qed jorganizza. Matul is-snin, din il-kompetizzjoni kibret u l-lum ghandha 12-il kategorija differenti. Diversi istituzzjonijiet u kumpanniji ewlenin qed jisponsorjaw il-Malta Journalism Awards. Il-Gurija ta' din l-edizzjoni ghazlet lil dawn il-finalisti mnizzlin hawn taht f'ordni alfabetika: Gurnalizmu Stampat - Ahbarijiet - sponsorjata
mill-HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c.
Gurnalizmu Stampat - Features - sponsorjata minn Vodafone Malta Ltd Martin Debattista (The Times - i-tech section)
Gurnalizmu Fotografiku - sponsorjata minn The Farsons Foundation Ben Borg Cardona (The Malta Independent / Le Figaro)
Overseas Assignments/Rappurtagg minn Barra minn
Malta - sponsorjata minn Emirates Airline
Gurnalizmu Mxandar - Skript Televiziv - sponsorjata mill-Awtorita` tax-Xandir Reno Bugeja (TVM)
Gurnalizmu Mxandar - Filmat Televisiv- sponsorjata mill-Awtorita` tax-Xandir Alvin Scicluna (TVM)
Gurnalizmu Mxandar - Radju Mario Micallef (Radju Malta)
Gurnalizmu Kulturali - sponsorjata mill-Awtorita` Maltija tat-Turizmu Lino Bugeja (The Sunday Times)
Gurnalizmu Sportiv - sponsorjata minn Melita Cable, Mark Attard (Illum)
Gurnalizmu Fotografiku Sportiv - sponsorjata mill-Malta International Airport Matthew Mirabelli (The Times)
Gurnalizmu Elettroniku (e-Journalism) - sponsorjata
minn SmartCity Malta
Il-Gurija qed thejji wkoll rapport dwar is-sottomissjonijiet u l-livell gurnalistiku taghhom li ghandu jinqara qabel il-premjazzjoni. Dakinhar jithabbru wkoll l-ismijiet tal-membri li huma fuq il-Gurija ghal din l-edizzjoni. Din is-sena c-cerimonja tal-premjazzjoni se ssir fi ftit gimghat ohra. Il-finalisti u r-rebbieh tal-kategorija l-Lingwa
Nazzjonali fil-Gurnalizmu jithabbru fil-lejla tal-prezentazzjoni.
F'din il-kategorija hemm 25 partecipant li qed jissottomettu
xoghol gurnalistiku bil-Malti.
Nominazzjonijiet ghalI-GOLD AWARD - 2007 L-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin qed jibda' jilqa' nominazzjonijiet ghall-Gold Award 2007. Sottomissjonijiet jistghu jsiru minn persuna, ghaqda, organizzazzjoni jew istituzzjoni. Hadd ma jista' jaghmel sottomissjoni ghalih innifsu, izda kulhadd huwa liberu li jissottometti lill-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin persuna, persuni, ghaqda, korp, organizzazzjoni, istituzzjoni ohra li fl-opinjoni tieghu tikkwalifika ghal dan l-unur. Il-Gold Award qed tigi sponsorjata mill-Fondazzjoni Tumas Fenech ghall-Edukazzjoni fil-Gurnalizmu. L-iskop tal-Gold Award huwa li jinghata gharfien
misthoqq: Fiz-zewg kazi jrid ikun inghata kontribut li jmur lil hinn minn rekwiziti ta' prattika normali fil-professjoni. Data ta' l-gheluq: Is-sottomissjonijiet jintlaqghu sal-Hamis, 23 ta' Awissu, 2007. Kull min jinnomina ghandu jaghti d-dettalji kollha mehtiega (ezempji: rendikont dettaljat tal-hidma mwettqa, ittri ta' referenza minghand ghadd ta' persuni kkoncernati, bibljografija ta' min ikun qed jigi nnominat) kif ukoll ir-raguni jew ragunijiet ghaliex qed issir dik in-nominazzjoni halli b'hekk il-Kunsill ta' l-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin ikun f'qaghda li jghaddi in-nominazzjonijiet lill-Bord ta' l-Ghazla, li c-chairman tieghu huwa l-President Emeritus Prof. Guido de Marco. L-ghazla tithabbar ufficjalment waqt ic-cerimonja tal-premjazzjoni. Kull sottomissjoni ghandha tintbaghat lis-Segretarju ta' l-IGM, Joe A. Vella, 104 Old Mint Street, Valletta; jew 146/5 Howard Street, Sliema. Ir-rebbieha s'issa: 1998 - Fr Joe Borg; 1999 - Anton Cassar; 2000
- Frank Attard; 2001 - J.G. Vassallo; 2002 - Anthony Montanaro;
2003 - John Manduca; 2004 - Charles Grech Orr; 2005 - Paul Carachi;
2006 - Paul Saliba.
Press Release 12/2007 Date: 22 July 2007
IGM WELCOMES FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT
The Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM) welcomed
the publication of the White Paper outlining the Government's
proposals for a Freedom of Information Act (FOI) as an important
step forward towards introducing a culture of transparency and
accountability in the Public Sector.
IL-MALTA JOURNALISM AWARDS IL-FINALISTI JITHABBRU F'NOFS AWISSU Kien hemm numru sostanzjali ta' gurnalisti li ssottomettew xoghol ghal Malta Journalism Awards. Il-gurija temmet ix-xoghol taghha din il-gimgha u l-finalisti issa mistennija jithabbru f'nofs Awissu. Ic-cerimonja fejn jithabbru l-finalisti mistennija li ssir f'Villa Parisio, Hal-Lija, ir-residenza tal-Fondazzjoni Strickland, f'gurnata li ghad trid tigi konfermata, li aktarx tkun l-Erbgha, 22 ta' Awissu, 2007. Kull min issottometta xoghol se jigi mistieden ghal din l-okkazjoni. KUNGRESS TA' L-IFJ F'MOSKA Mario Schiavone, it-Tezorier ta' l-IGM irrapprezenta lill-IGM fit-tielet Kungress Dinji organizzat mill-International Federation of Jouranlists li sar f'Moska bejn it-28 ta' Mejju u l-1 ta' Gunju. Waqt dan il-Kungress kienu diskussi diversi problemi li qed jiffaccjaw il-professjoni tal-gurnalizmu madwar id-dinja fejn qed naraw numru minn shabna jinqatlu, mhux biss f'postijiet fejn imorru biex jirrappurtaw dwar gwerer imma sahansitra f'pajjizhom stess u l-awtoritajiet tal-pajjiz anqas biss jaghmlu investigazzjonijiet dwar dawn id-delitti. Kellna wkoll tahditiet ma' l-Union tal-Gurnalisti Russi dwar program ta' skambji ta' gurnalisti bejn iz-zewg pajjizi u hadna hsieb ukoll biex ghamilna kuntatti ma' kollegi minn pajjizi tal-Mediterran dwar il-Kungress li se jsir f'pajjizna f'Settembru li gej. LAQGHA TAL-GURNALISTI TAL-MEDITERRAN Intant l-Awtorita' Maltija tat-Turizmu accettat talba tal-Kunsill ta' l-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin biex tisponsorja l-Konferenza tal-Guranlisti tal-Mediterran li se ssir f'Malta bejn is-27 u t-28 ta' Settembru 2007. Din il-Konferenza ssir taht l-awspici ta' l-International Federation of Journalists. Is-sena li ghaddiet din il-Konferenza saret fil-Croatia fejn matulha r-rapprezentanti ta' l-IGM kienu hadu parti attiva hafna. SKONT FUQ TITJIRIET TA' L-AIR MALTA Infakkarkom li l-Air Malta qed toffri skont ta' 15% lill-membri ta' l-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin li jivvajjgaw lejn il-pajjizi li topera lejhom l-Air Malta. Dettalji minghand is-Segretarju: joeavella@onvol.net
Press Release 09/2007 Date: 18 May 2007
IGM COUNCIL in audience with Archbishop Cremona
The Council of the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM) today had an hour's audience with Archbishop Paul Cremona. The cordial meeting was held at the Archbishop's Curia, Floriana.
The agenda of the meeting included the media's relations with the Catholic Church in the reality of the pluralist society in which we live.
IGM chairman Malcolm J. Naudi praised Mgr Cremona for his accessibility to the media in the weeks following his appointment and augured that the Curia should be more open to the means of social communication.
On his part, Mgr Cremona urged the media to be more honest in the way it communicates the Church's message without imposing its agenda. He expressed his willingness to continue his dialogue with the media as he has done so far.
Press Release 08/2007 World Press Freedom Day 2007 ISSUE OF FOI WHITE PAPER LONG OVERDUE - IGM On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day 2007 on May 3, the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM) called on the Maltese Government to issue the much-promised White Paper on Freedom of Information as soon as possible. "Government had pledged that the White Paper was going to be published by the end of last year. There had been some delay, even from our side, in giving our feedback to the draft White Paper that has already been circulated, yet a comprehensive Freedom of Information Act is needed to put Malta truly at par with its partners in the EU and combat the culture of secrecy pervading the Public Sector," said Malcolm J. Naudi, Chairman, IGM. The IGM presented its position on the proposed Freedom of Information Act and teamed up with the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative to present a joint reaction some weeks ago, and expects them to be included in the draft legislation. "Our proposals are intended to provide Malta with a law that gives a general right to information held by the executive and administration branches of government, thus promoting transparency and accountability," said Mr Naudi. "A Freedom of Information Act is an important step towards protecting the individual citizen and achieving fuller press freedom in Malta," he added. This year's theme for World Press Freedom Day, organised by UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) is Press Freedom, Safety of Journalists and Impunity. Over the past decade, we have witnessed a dramatic escalation of violence against journalists, media professionals and associated personnel. In many countries around the world, media professionals are harassed, attacked, detained and even murdered. According to professional organisations, 2006 was the bloodiest year on record, with over 150 members of the media killings. Hundreds more media workers were arrested, threatened or attacked because of their work. "Being a journalist has never been more dangerous," Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, said in his message for World Press Freedom Day 2007. Conflict zones - and post-conflict zones - are particularly hazardous environments for journalists. The worst example is Iraq, where 69 media professionals were killed last year. Over 170 media professionals, the vast majority being local journalists, have been killed in the country since the conflict began in April 2003. "Never in recorded history has there been such a large-scale killing of journalists," said Mr Matsuura. "The safety of journalists is an issue that affects us all. Every aggression against a journalist is an attack on our most fundamental freedoms. Press freedom and freedom of expression cannot be enjoyed without basic security." Fortunately, in Malta, no journalists have been killed, but last year alone there were six reported cases where journalists were harassed to some extent or another. In one case, an editor of a weekly newspaper had his front door torched, while a newspaper columnist had her back door set on fire after they spoke out in favour of asylum seekers in their respective media. Until now, nobody has been brought to Court in connection with the arson cases. "Crimes against journalists should not go unpunished as they are crimes against freedom of expression," said Mr Naudi.
Every year, May 3 is a date which celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom; to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession. May 3 was proclaimed World Press Freedom Day the UN General Assembly in 1993 following a Recommendation adopted at the 26th session of UNESCO's General Conference in 1991. It serves as an occasion to inform citizens of violations of press freedom - a reminder that in dozens of countries around the world, publications are censored, fined, suspended and closed down, while journalists, editors and publishers are harassed, attacked, detained and even murdered. It is a date to encourage and develop initiatives in favour of press freedom, and to assess the state of press freedom worldwide. It serves as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom and is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics. Just as importantly, World Press Freedom Day is a day of support for media which are targets for the restraint, or abolition, of press freedom. It is also a day of remembrance for those journalists who lost their lives in the exercise of their profession. For comments please call Malcolm J Naudi, chairman, IGM on 9990 0207 or Charlot Zahra, Information Officer, IGM on 7940 8522 Press Release 06/2007 Date: 9 April 2007
IGM CALLS ON JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS MINISTRY TO INTERVENE IN ARMENIAN JOURNALIST'S CASE
The Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM) yesterday called on the Justice and Home Affairs Ministry to intervene in the case of Gina Khachatryan, the 30-year-old Armenian journalist who landed in Malta on Friday afternoon on her way to be deported to her homeland.
"We call on the Justice and Home Affairs Ministry to investigate the circumstances surrounding this case and, if warranted, offer political asylum to Ms Khachatryan," said Malcolm J Naudi, chairman, IGM.
"Ms Khachatryan was in the UK for the past four years after being detained in Armenia for 40 days for revealing electoral fraud, therefore it would be suicidal to send her back to her homeland, where she would risk being detained once more for doing her job as a journalist," added Mr Naudi.
The IGM also called on the British authorities to reverse their decision not to extend Ms Khachatryan's stay in the United Kingdom.
"As a promoter of democracy and human rights on a global scale, the United Kingdom should not shirk its responsibility in this case and hand over Ms Khachatryan and her family to the Armenian government," he insisted.
According to the international journalists' organisation Reporters Sans Frontieres, Armenia was the 101st worst country (out of 168) for restrictions to press freedom in 2006.
Edik Baghdasaryan, head of the association of investigative journalists in Armenia, has reported a recent wave of violent attacks against journalists in the country as an electoral campaign looms.
There is a history of press freedom violations in Armenia. If officials or large-scale businessmen - do not like what is written, reporters are threatened and, in some cases, beaten up. One reporter was forced to leave his flat last summer.
A copy of this statement has been sent to the
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the Justice and
Home Affairs Ministry and the British embassy in Malta Press Release 06/2007 Date: 9 April 2007
IFJ REITERATES CALL FOR CREDIBLE EXPLANATION OVER JOURNALISTS' DEATHS DURING IRAQ WAR FOUR YEARS AGO
The fourth anniversary of the still unexplained killing of three journalists by United States troops in Baghdad on 8 April 2003 was marked yesterday by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) following a week of shocking attacks on journalists which saw four journalists being killed and another eleven injured.
These deaths bring to 23 the number of Iraqi media killed in 2007 alone. At least 196 journalists and media workers have died in Iraq since the US invasion four years ago.
The IFJ and its national journalists unions around the world, including the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM), the IFJ's Malta affiliate, renewed calls for the United States to provide credible reports over a number of media deaths at the hands of US soldiers in Iraq and, in particular, the killing of three journalists on April 8th 2003.
Sunday marked the fourth anniversary of the attack by US troops on the Palestine Hotel, which housed scores of media personnel, killing Taras Protsyuk of Reuters and Jose Cuoso, of the Telecinco network in Spain. On the same morning, journalist Tareq Ayyoub was killed when the Baghdad offices of the Arab satellite channel Al Jazeera were attacked by US fighter planes.
"Four years on still no credible reports have been produced to explain these attacks and no one has been held to account for the killings," said IFJ General Secretary Aidan White.
"The United States must answer questions that are still asked over these deaths and many others at the hands of their troops in Iraq. With the number of media casualties growing daily, impunity becomes intolerable, particularly when it concerns the actions of those who speak in the name of democracy and human rights."
In December 2006, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1738, a measure championed by the IFJ and its member unions that protects journalists in conflict zones and says killing them can be considered a war crime.
The IFJ has also demanded action over the deaths of British ITN reporter Terry Lloyd and his colleagues Fred Nérac and Hussein Osman, whose bodies are still missing, in a fire fight between US and Iraqi troops near Basra, in March 2003 as the invasion of Iraq gathered pace and has raised questions over the shooting by US soldiers of Reuters cameramen Mazen Dana.
In October last year the IFJ demanded the United States "tell the whole truth" about media deaths in Iraq at the hands of US troops after a British coroner ruled that the death of ITN reporter Terry Lloyd in the Basra fire-fight was an "unlawful killing."
"The US military has never owned up to its responsibilities in Iraq," White said. "We hope the UN resolution will help stop this trend of attacks on journalists but we must continue to fight to make sure that all past cases are investigated and the killers brought to justice. If not, we not only run the risk of more journalists being killed, but that these people will kill journalism as well." 29th March 2007 IGM LAUNCHES 17TH EDITION OF MALTA JOURNALISM AWARDS The Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM) launched the 17th edition of the annual press awards known as the Malta Journalism Awards, with 12 categories. As from this edition, apart from the journalist himself/herself, Editors and Heads of News Departments may select and submit entries of what they consider to be the best work of any individual journalist/s, irrespective of whether that journalist belongs to the same newsroom or not. Submissions can also be forwarded by organisations, corporations and bodies. In both cases, consent has to be given by the individual journalist/s concerned by filling the appropriate part on the Official Application Form prior to submission of entry by Editor, Head of News Department, or organisations/corporations/bodies. "Through this significant innovation, the Malta Journalism Awards are being made accessible to everyone as anyone can now submit an application on his/her behalf if they are journalists, or on behalf of another journalist," said IGM chairman Malcolm J. Naudi. The 12 categories are: Broadcast categories: General categories: This year's edition of the Gold Award is being sponsored by Fondazzjoni Tumas Fenech ghall-Edukazzjoni fil-Gurnalizmu. More details about this particular award will be announced next month. Following recommendations by previous judging panels, the Institute draws the attention of journalists to the following points: a) only coverages that were made overseas by the
journalist concerned are to be submitted in the Overseas Assignment
category; Prizes The winner of the special category entitled 'Il-Lingwa Nazzjonali fil-?urnalIGMu" will be presented with the Malta Journalism Award trophy for that category. Announcement of Finalists Presentation Ceremony All Maltese journalists may participate Press Cartoons Category every 3 years However, being a non-competing category, caricaturists or their Editors may submit up to 15 caricatures per caricaturist to be considered for an annual publication to be released next year. Closing Date Regulations and applications may be obtained either
by phoning Mr Vella 2131-6958/ 9945 0746 or from here.
Press Release 05/2007 EFJ SAYS MALTA MUST STOP ATTACKS ON MEDIA AFTER JOURNALISTS ASSAULTED AT HUNTING PROTEST The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its European group, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) today called on the Maltese government to protect journalist safety after recent attacks on journalists covering a protest by hunters and trappers in the capital. The EFJ and IFJ are backing a call by their affiliate, the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM), for authorities to take tough action against those responsible for the attacks on journalists reporting on the 7 March protest in the capital city of Valletta where hunters and trappers hurled bottles and stones at police and media. "These recent attacks on journalists show that protesters feel they can attack reporters and photographers with impunity," said Arne König, EFJ Chair. "This intimidation and violence against journalists on assignment is a serious threat to independent media in Malta." Darrin Zammit Lupi, a photographer from The Times newspaper, was hospitalised after he was struck in the face and his equipment was damaged, IGM said. Julia Farrugia, a journalist from Illum newspaper and Brandon Pisani, a journalist from l-orizzont newspaper were taken to a nearby health centre suffering from slight injuries. Photographer Ben Borg Cardona of newspaper The Malta Independent had his equipment broken and stolen by hunters and was slightly injured. Photographer Ray Attard from Illum newspaper was also slightly injured. Farrugia and Borg-Cardona were threatened by representatives of the Federation for Hunting, Trapping and Conservation, which organised the protest. These are the latest cases of attacks on journalists in Malta, where journalists have been threatened or assaulted while on assignment cover public gatherings or judicial proceedings, the IGM said. Last year, an editor and a columnist had their front doors set on fire while the country was having a public debate about asylum seekers in Malta. At the time, far-right political figures were inciting attacks against the media, who were generally sympathetic about the plight of asylum seekers. For more information please call: + 32 2 235 22
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Newsletter Nru. 2
The Fund for American Studies, bil-kollaborazzjoni tal-European Journalism Institute (EJI) se torganizza seminar ta' tmint ijiem fi Prague bejn is-7 u l-15 ta' Lulju 2007, li ghalih jistghu japplikaw gurnalisti attivi u anke studenti universitarji. Min irid ikun jaf iktar dwar is-seminar jista' jzur il-websajt www.tfasinternational.org/eji/about filwaqt li min jixtieq jistaqsi dwar il-programmi jista' jikkontattja lil Cynthia Ramirez, International Programs Assistant fuq cramirez@tfas.org Min jinghazel ghal dan is-seminar ikun irid ihallas il-biljett ta' l-ajru biss ghax il-lukanda tkun bla hlas. Is-sena li ghaddiet tliet gurnalisti membri ta' l-IGM attendew ghal kors simili u l-IGM hallas il-biljett ta' l-ajru ghal tnejn minnhom. Jekk ikun hemm xi membri taghna li jigu accettati biex jattendu dan il-kors, il-Kunsill jikkonsidra jisponsorjalhom il-vjagg taghhom. Naturalment min ma jkunx aggornat fi shubija ma jigix ikkonsidrat ghal ghajnuna. L-uzu tal-premises mill-gurnalisti Kmieni din is-sena l-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin beda jgawdi mill-iskema ta' tahrig ta' l-istudenti li introduca l-ETC. Permezz ta' din l-iskema studenti ta' bejn 18 u l-21 sena li jkunu ilhom jirregistraw ghax-xoghol ghal sitt xhur, jigu allokati ma' xi NGO u jitharrgu maghha ghall-perjodu ta' sitt xhur. Matul dan iz-zmien l-ETC thallas Lm30 fil-gimgha lill-istudent li min-naha tieghu jkun irid jahdem 20 siegha fuq hamest ijiem. Minn Frar li ghadda, l-IGM u l-ETC bdew ihaddmu din l-iskema, u llum l-IGM hu f'pozizzjoni li joffri lill-gurnalisti, membri u mhumiex, l-uzu tal-premises matul in-nofs ta' nhar fil-ghodu, b'hekk inaqqsu mill-iskarrig zejjed u l-htiega li l-gurnalisti joqoghdu jmorru l-ufficcju biex jghaddu x-xoghol taghhom. Madankollu qabel nibdew nimplimentaw is-sistema nixtiequ l-feedback minghand il-membri. Fil-premises ghandna computer u librerija u jekk ikun hemm risposta pozittiva mill-gurnalisti ghall-uzu tal-facilitajiet taghna, allura behsiebna ntejbu l-facilitajiet li ghandna biex il-gurnalisti jkollhom il-htigjiet kollha li jkunu jehtiegu. Kif ghidt id-decizjoni nimxux iktar 'l quddiem nehduha wara li nircievu r-riazzjoni tal-membri. Discount Card Nixtieq ninforma lill-membri li Julia Farrugia, ufficjal tal-IGM, qed tahdem fuq skema ta' Discount Card li permezz taghha l-membri jkunu jistghu jgawdu minn rohs sostanzjali meta jzuru l-postijiet/hwienet/restoranti li jkunu dahlu fl-iskema. Iktar dettalji dwar din l-iskema jinghataw iktar 'il quddiem. Jekk il-membri jixtiequ xi kumpaniji jidhlu f'din l-iskema jinformawna. Journal Il-Kunsill ta' l-IGM jinsab fil-process li jippubblika t-tieni edizzjoni tal-Journal li jkun jinkludi d-diskorsi li saru fit-tieni Konvenzjoni li organizza l-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin bil-kollaborazzjoni tal-Fondazzjoni Tumas Fenech ghall-Edukazzjoni fil-Gurnalizmu. Ufficjal Informazzjoni Il-Kunsill hatar lil Charlot Zahra, ex membru tal-Kunsill, bhala Segretarju Informazzjoni.
09.03.2007 L-IGM jistenna li l-pulizija tieghu azzjoni L-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin, f'isem il-komunita' gurnalistika, id-djar tal-pubblikazzjoni f'Malta u l-maggoranza kbira hafna tal-Maltin u l-Ghawdxin, filwaqt li jerga jtenni l-kundanna tieghu ghall-vjolenza mwettqa minn kaccaturi u nassaba fuq gurnalisti u fotografi waqt il-qadi ta' dmirijiethom nhar l-Erbgha li ghadda fil-belt Valletta, jistenna kundanna ghal dawn l-atti vjolenti mill-Federazzjoni Kaccaturi, Nassaba u Konservazzjonisti filwaqt li jappella lill-Pulizija biex jassiguraw li jittiehdu passi skond il-ligi kontra min wettaq dawn l-atti vjolenti. Mhux accettabbli li l-FKNK tohrog stqarrija biex suppost tikkundanna dak li gara u fl-istess nifs tipprova tiggustifika l-aggressjoni billi sostniet li " dan seta' gara minhabba provokazzjoni ta' xi persuni." B'dan il-mod intefa' dawl ikrah fuq il-Pulizija u gurnalisti li kienu qed jaqdu dmirijiethom f'cirkostanzi li suppost kienu pacifici izda li whud irrendewhom vjolenti bl-imgieba intollerabbli taghhom, sa mill- bidunett tal-protesta meta kien hemm minn dahal bil-vettura tieghu f'post li l-Pulizija kienet ghalqet ghat-traffiku u b'rezistenza lill-istess pulizija. L-FKNK qarrqet ukoll fl-istqarrija meta qalet li "minkejja s-sitwazzjoni mweghra li jinsabu fiha dawn l-eluf ta' cittadini, ma nqala' ebda ncident sakemm spiccat il-Protesta." Fil-verita' ghall-habta tas-18.20 meta l-protesta kienet waslet quddiem Pjazza Regina, kienu diga' nqalghu incidenti fejn numru ta' fliexken u ghadd ta' gebel intefghu lejn id-direzzjoni tal-Pulizija u tal-gurnalisti. L-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Malti jistenna li l-Pulizija tiehu azzjoni wkoll fil-konfront ta' numru ta' persuni li fil-prezenza ta' ufficjali tal-FKNK heddew verbalment gurnalisti u fotografi. Fost dawn kien hemm "fotografu" li kien qed jigbed ritratti ghall-Federazzjoni stess u li qal kliem dispreggjattiv fil-konfront tal-fotografu Ben Borg Cardona li xi kaccaturi kissrulu u serqulu l-apparat fotografiku. Dan il-fotografu tal-FKNK sa indirizza lill-gurnalist bil-kliem "Sew ghamlulek lilek." Dan il-kliem sab ir-rezistenza tal-gurnalista u kollega Julia Farrugia li kompliet tinsisti li dan il-kliem qatt ma kellu jintqal u hu ta' min jistkerrhu. Din il-gurnalista giet mhedda u ntimidata minn ufficjal tal-FKNK fil-prezenza ta' Lino Farrugia Segretarju tal-Federazzjoni li minflok ma waqqaf dan id-diskors ghadda rimarki u kliem li jista' jitqies bhala theddid fil-konfront ta' l-istess gurnalista. Dan l-individwu sa beda jghajjat l-isem tal-gurnalista fuq il-megaphone. Dan it-tip ta' incitament mhux accettat aktar u aktar meta fil-belt Valletta kien ghad baqa' numru ta' kaccaturi. Dan l-atteggjament seta' qala' aktar inkwiet u vjolenza fuq il-gurnalisti. L-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin jistenna dikjarazzjoni
cara mit-tmexxija tal-FKNK u azzjoni mill-Pulizija.
07.03.2007 L-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin Jikkundanna bil-Qawwa Kollha il-Vjolenza Fuq il-Gurnalisti : “Kultant zmien, il-mostru ikrah tal-vjolenza fizika kontra l-gurnalisti jgholli ruhu, specjalment waqt attivajiet pubblici jaharqu” L-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Malti jikkundanna bil-qawwa kollha l-agir tal-membri tal-Federazzjoni tal-Kaccaturi, Nassaba u Konservazjonisti fuq il-gurnalisti u fotografi waqt il-qadi ta’ dmirijiethom il-lejla. Minn ta’ l-inqas hames gurnalisti/fotografi gew attakkati fizikament u verbalment mhedda mill-membri ta’ l-GHKNK sahansitra fotogrofu ta’ The Times/Reuters Darrin Zammit Lupi li kellu jittiehed l-isptar ghal kura. Ma dan kienu mhedda gurnalisti mill-gurnali The Malta Independent, l-orizzont, u Illum. Niddeploraw li f’demokrazija fejn id-dritt ta’ liberta’ ta’ l-espressjoni ghandha tigi rispettata dan l-atteggament arroganti ghandu jsir. L-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin sfortunatament jinnota li kultant zmien, il-mostru ikrah tal-vjolenza fizika kontra l-gurnalisti jgholli ruhu, specjalment waqt attivajiet pubblici jaharqu. Il-Kunsill ta’ l-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin jishaq ma’ l-awtoritajiet, ewlenin fosthom il-Pulizija, sabiex dawk kollha li kienu responsabbli ghal dan l-agir kundannabbli ikunu investigati u mressqa l-Qorti bla telf ta’ zmien u moghtija sentenzi kompatibbli mar-rifjut assolut tal-vjolenza f’socjeta’ demokratika bhalma hija Malta.
18.02.2007
Preparations for this year's edition of the Malta Journalism Awards are in full swing as this year, the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM) is planning to hold this event earlier than usual. The first category sponsorship agreement has been signed this week with Vodafone Malta Limited. For the third consecutive year, the mobile telephony company is sponsoring the print features category which is one of the most competitive of the eleven annually presented awards. An independent judging panel will be selecting the best selection of print features written in 2006 and submitted in this category. Vodafone's Head of Legal, Regulatory & Corporate Affairs, Mr Joseph Cuschieri, presented the sponsorship to IGM Chairman, Mr Malcolm J. Naudi. He said: "Vodafone has been sponsoring the print features category since it was first established, however, Vodafone constant support for Maltese journalists dates back to the early 1990s. On several occasions the company has sponsored various events organised by this national association of Maltese journalists." Ariadne Massa (The Times) and Brandon Pisani (l-orizzont)
were the two winners in this category for 2004 and 2005 respectively. New IGM Council for 2007 IGM Officials uncontested The three officials of the Institute of Maltese Journalists, Malcolm J. Naudi (chairman), Joe A. Vella (Secretary) and Mario Schiavone (Treasurer) were re-elected uncontested at the IGM Annual General Meeting held earlier this week. However, there was a healthy contest for the posts of members on the Council. Following an election held during the AGM, the IGM has two new faces on its Council, Charles Flores and Sergio Mallia whilst Julia Farrugia and Roderick Agius were re-elected. During the meeting the members approved a recommendation by the Council to continue discussions with the Journalists' Committee for the setting up of a trade union for journalists, which if set up, will be completely independent and autonomous from the Institute of Maltese Journalists. The Institute will continue to work on its stated objectives to improve the standard of journalism, through ethics, education and professionalism.
LAQGHA GENERALI ANNWALI 2007 Il-Laqgha Generali Annwali 2007 ta' l-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin (IGM) se tinzamm nhar it-Tnejn, 29 ta' Jannar fis-7.30 pm f'The Malta Press Club, 104a, Triq Zekka l-Qadima, Valletta. Matul din il-laqgha se ssir l-elezzjoni ghall-Kunsill ghas-sena 2007. Il-karigi huma ta' Chairman, Segretarju, Tezorier, u erba' membri. Min jixtieq jikkontesta ghal xi kariga jista' jaghmel dan sa l-Erbgha, 24 ta' Jannar, 2007, billi jibghat l-applikazzjoni tieghu lis-Segretarju, Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin (IGM), 146/5, Triq Howard, Sliema; jew 104a Strada Zekka, Valletta, jew permezz ta' e-mail lil joeavella@onvol.net Min irid iressaq xi mozzjoni jew emendi ghandu jaghmel dan sa' l-istess data, jigifieri l-Erbgha, 24 ta' Jannar, 2007.
Ikklikkja hawn ghad-dokumenti tal-laqgha.
Press Release 01/2007 IFJ REPORTS 155 MURDERS AND UNEXPLAINED KILLINGS IN YEAR OF UNPRECEDENTED BRUTALITY The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) said on Sunday that 2006 was a year of tragedy for the world's media as killings of reporters and media staff reached historic levels with at least 155 murders, assassinations and unexplained deaths. "Media have become more powerful and journalism has become more dangerous," said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. "2006 was the worst year on record - a year of targeting, brutality and continued impunity in the killing of journalists." The Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM) is the Malta affiliate of the IFJ. During the year the numbers began to accumulate with civil strife and resistance to military occupation in Iraq. The IFJ says media became prime targets of terror attacks or victims of poor soldiering. By the year's end, 68 media staff had been killed, bringing to 170 the number killed in the country since the invasion in April 2003. Elsewhere, the IFJ says continuing violence in Latin America, particularly Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela, claimed the lives of 37 media staff while in Asia relentless attacks in the Philippines and Sri Lanka pushed the total of killings to 34. The only positive sign came in the final days of the year, says the IFJ, when the United Nations, for the first time ever, issued a statement condemning targeting of journalists and calling for prosecution of the killers of media staff. In a resolution passed on December 23 the UN Security Council unanimously called on governments to respect international law and to protect civilians in armed conflict. The Council called for an end to impunity and for prosecution of the killers of journalists and agreed to prepare annual reports on the risks facing media. "This was the only bright spot in a year of unremitting gloom," said White. "For the first time the United Nations has put the focus on a deepening media crisis. It is long overdue. We want to see action against countries that allow impunity in the killing of journalists." The IFJ totals for 2006 are as follows: The previous high was last year when the IFJ recorded 154 deaths, a number inflated tragically by the deaths of 48 Iranian journalists on a military assignment. But this year there were many fewer accidents - just 22. The full details are set out in the IFJ report
-Journalism Put to the Sword - to be published in the middle
of January. The report also covers the work of the IFJ Safety
Fund, which provides humanitarian aid to the victims of violence
and their families. In October a judge in the United Kingdom said one of the victims, ITN journalist Terry Lloyd, was unlawfully killed by American soldiers outside Basra. His interpreter Hussein Osman was also killed and cameraman Fred Nerac is missing believed dead. There have been calls for prosecution of US servicemen involved in this and many other cases. Nevertheless, during 2006 the vast majority of killings have been at the hands of terrorists and sectarian gangs who have made the streets of Baghdad and other major cities no-go areas for many news teams. But the IFJ says that the crisis of impunity is not confined to conflict zones. On December 12 the Federation joined with other international press support groups to launch an International Commission of Inquiry into the killings of journalists in Russia. The action follows the assassination of investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya in Moscow on October 7. Her death was the latest in more than 200 killings of journalists in Russia since 1993. Many of these have been explained, but since President Vladimir Putin came to power around 40 killings of journalists have taken place and none of them have been satisfactorily resolved. Second only to Iraq among the most dangerous spots in the world for active journalism is the Philippines, says the IFJ, where 13 journalists died in 2006, bringing to 49 the number of media staff murdered since Gloria Arroya came to power in 2001 - surpassing the numbers killed under the 14-year Marcos Dictatorship. And in Latin America journalists in Mexico moved ahead of Colombia as the deadliest country for journalists covering crime and corruption with 10 deaths, many of them investigative reporters. In Africa countries wracked by internal conflict also proved to be the most dangerous for journalists. Swedish freelance Martin Adler was shot while filming a demonstration in Mogadishu and veteran journalist Mohammed Taha, a Sudanese editor, was kidnapped and killed. "It has been a year in which small steps have been taken to confront this media catastrophe," said White, "The issue will figure strongly at the IFJ World Congress to be held in Moscow in May. But we must do more, particularly to help the victims of violence and to bring the killers of our colleagues to justice."
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