Brussels-headquartered International Federation of Journalists—the world’s largest organization of reporters’ trade unions—held its annual meetings May 11-13 in Taipei City, marking the first time the events have been staged in Asia.
More than 40 journalists and union representatives from over 20 countries and territories gathered in Taipei for the group’s general and executive committee meetings. Issues under discussion included international threats to free speech, independence and safety, according to local member Association of Taiwan Journalists.
Speaking at a reception for IFJ dignitaries at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs May 11, MOFA Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu welcomed the journalists from around the world and conveyed gratitude for their efforts to cover stories in dangerous areas and report truth to the public.
As authoritarian regimes seek to stifle independent reporting beyond their borders, Taiwan remains steadfastly committed to ensuring journalists operate in an open and safe media environment, Wu said. The nation’s success in this regard is demonstrated by IFJ’s decision to meet in Taipei as well as the nation’s top ranking in Asia for the sixth consecutive year in the 2018 World Press Freedom Index released by France-headquartered Reporters Without Borders (RSF), he added.
According to the minister, other examples include RSF’s selection of Taipei as host city for its first Asian bureau as well as a recent New York Times article describing Taiwan as the continent’s “bastion of free speech.”
IFJ President Philippe Leruth thanked Wu for the cordial reception and praised the local media environment, journalists’ unions and press freedoms. Describing the Asia-Pacific as the most dangerous region for reporters, Leruth said that Taiwan provides an example for other countries to follow.
Founded in 1926, IFJ represents around 600,000 members in more than 140 countries and territories. The nongovernmental organization works to promote international action on issues ranging from journalist union development to labor rights and gender equality in the media. (CPY-E)
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