Rabat: The meeting of the Federation of African Journalists’ (FAJ) Executive Board commenced on Monday in Rabat, attended by executives of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). Hosted until April 15 by the National Union of the Moroccan Press (SNPM), this meeting is part of the organizational momentum of journalistic union action at the continental level and falls within the framework of IFJ Congress preparations, scheduled for next May in Paris.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, several issues of interest to the profession will be addressed during this meeting, notably the situation of journalists on the African continent in a challenging context marked by difficulties facing the press in the region. The meeting will also focus on the FAJ’s participation in the upcoming Paris Congress, as explained by SNPM Vice President and FAJ Executive Board member Mohamed Talbi.

Discussions will cover several current issues, including gender and freedom-related challenges in Africa, as well as major concerns such as environmental challenges, desertification, and migration, which are pertinent to both African journalists and the continent as a whole. Following this meeting, the Rabat Report will be drafted to outline a strategic vision for the FAJ ahead of the Paris Congress, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of its work and enable the African continent to regain a major role within the IFJ.

FAJ President Omar Faruk Osman expressed satisfaction with hosting this meeting in Rabat, the birthplace of the IFJ, and conveyed gratitude for SNPM’s constant support and its key role in the success of this event. The meeting aims to strengthen cooperation between African and international trade union organizations, particularly with regard to defending press freedom, protecting the economic and social rights of journalists, and supporting digital transformation in the media sector.