February 3, 2012 – St. Julians, Malta
“At its triennal conference held in Malta (January 29 to February 2, 2012) the Commonwealth Journalists Association unanimously condemned instances of state repression against media reported out of Pakistan, Sri Lanka and some African member states of the Commonwealth. It also adopted the WAN-IFRA Table Mountain Declaration (2007) against curtailment of media rights.
Regarding the proposed next CHOGM in Sri Lanka (2013), the CJA raised in particular concerns about the issues of press freedom in Sri Lanka and the monitoring of human rights.
The CJA further asked Commonwealth member states and associated civil society bodies to renew and strengthen the organisation, so that it becomes a more meaningful global player in the 21st century, as broadly outlined in the Eminent Persons Group report (2011).”
For more information please contact CJA President Rita Payne at ritapayne@hotmail.com
We campaign for free, bold and honest journalism across the Commonwealth. Our members should feel engaged, supported and safe in pursuit of these aims, as they work to uphold the finest principles of the profession and their role in a free society.
Our aims and values are enshrined in The 12 Principles, a new code proposed for freedom of expression and the role of media in good governance across the Commonwealth.