An international convention to ensure the safety and freedom of journalists and media professionals!

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has already submitted a draft charter for adoption to the United Nations to ensure the safety and freedom of journalists and media professionals in the next assembly.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has urged all member organizations to press their governments to adopt this draft, which the Greek government has already ratified and implemented even before the UN adopted the resolution.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has submitted the draft of this charter to other countries, including Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka’s member unions, the Federation of Media Employees’ Trade Unions (FMETU), the Free Media Movement (FMM), and the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA), have submitted this drafted charter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka. They requested that the Sri Lankan government take necessary steps to give its consent.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs invited us to a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 21 April 2025 to discuss the matter. The meeting was attended by the Convener of the Free Media Movement, Ms. Hana Ibrahim, Vice President of the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association, Mr. Pabudu Dushyantha, National Organizer of the Media Workers Trade Union Federation, Mr. Tharindu Uduwaragedara, and Deputy General Secretary, Ms. Indira Nawagamuwa, representing the media organizations.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath, who entered the discussion in a very cordial manner and expressed his agreement to take necessary steps after further discussions regarding the proposal for a charter on the safety and freedom of journalists and media professionals submitted to the United Nations by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) for approval. The Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed his agreement to take the necessary steps after further discussions regarding the support for its adoption at the United Nations.

Working conditions of journalists in Sri Lanka – 2025 – FMETU – IFJ – ISLANDWIDE SURVEY

The Federation of Media Workers’ Trade Unions (FMETU), in collaboration with the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), has begun organizing the proposed Union-to-Union program for 2025.

The Executive Committee of the Federation will hold a preliminary organizational  discussion via Zoom on March 3, 2025. The second discussion will be held on April 6, 2025, and the third discussion will also be held at the Rainbow Institute.

The 2025 program will include a survey on the professional rights of journalists covering the entire island. An online application form is to be designed for this.

“Journalists have a huge role to play as the fourth estate. Journalists in Sri Lanka face numerous challenges as they play their watchdog role to bring critical issues of public interest to the public arena.

The purpose of this survey is to consult representatives from the media and journalist community island-wide to gather information on the status of journalists and their working conditions in Sri Lanka, especially in relation to labor rights compliance.

The findings of this survey will be presented to H. E. the President and other decision-makers, continuing FMETU’s campaign to win better working conditions for Journalists in keeping with international standards and labor rights. ”

The relevant Google Form online link will be provided later.

The Passing away of Veteran journalist Seetha Ranjani!

Veteran journalist and activist for media freedom and social justice, Ms. Seetha Ranjani, passed away. The full condolence message the Media Workers’ Trade Union Federation issued on her passing is below.

Press Statement

February 17, 2025

No more Seetha’s voice! Her ideals endure for centuries!

It is with deep sorrow that the Federation of Media Employees Trade Unions (FMETU) mourns the passing of veteran journalist and social activist Seetha Ranjani, who dedicated decades of her life to fearless journalism and the struggle for media freedom in Sri Lanka.

Commemorate Black January: Honoring the Courage of Journalists – 2025

How can we forget the individuals who struggled for change, challenged governments and envisioned a better tomorrow? How can we overlook those who sacrificed their lives, faced brutal attacks, endured torture, and suffered countless atrocities simply for speaking the truth?

This is why we call Fort Railway Station 30/01/2025 upon all journalists in Sri Lanka and citizens who dream of a free, democratic society to join us in commemorating Black January.

Sri Lanka: New government must uphold press freedom, says press freedom collective-IFJ

Eora / Sydney, January 14, 2024  

A coalition of trade unions, media advocacy groups, and journalist representative bodies have urged the newly-elected government of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to uphold press freedom and challenge a culture of impunity for crimes against journalists in Sri Lanka.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliates, the Federation of Media Employees and Trade Unions (FMETU), the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA), and the Free Media Movement (FMM), in stressing the historical importance of this transition and urging Dissanayake and the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) coalition to stand by their commitments in service of democracy, the media, and justice.

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