Young leaders discuss COVID and unemployment at first Virtual Commonwealth Youth Parliament
Young citizens from across the Commonwealth have participated in a week-long Virtual Commonwealth Youth Parliament, giving them the opportunity to experience parliamentary democracy, meet other young leaders and discuss urgent global issues. Organised by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), the Commonwealth Youth Parliament took place from 14-18 December 2020 and was held virtually for the […]
Newsletter December 2020
Amal Clooney speaks out for CJA media principles
The CJA-led campaign in favour of the Commonwealth adopting the 2018 “Principles on media and good governance” has received a boost from the top international human rights lawyer Amal Clooney. Ms Clooney heads a Panel of top legal experts for media freedom that has been set up to produce an authoritative set of recommendations for […]
Committee to examine planned ICWS closure
The University of London has confirmed the membership of a Committee to conduct an inquiry into the future of Commonwealth Studies at the University. The creation of the Committee, to be chaired by Sir Malcolm Rifkind, the former UK Foreign Secretary, was announced following consultation about the future of the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at […]
Why media must have highest standards, before questioning others …
SYED BADRUL AHSAN examines the special significance of World Press Freedom Day Free expression matters. And it matters enormously in the media, for the media is an embodiment of all those finer sentiments which go into an expression of the yearnings of the human soul. Those who hold aloft the banner of a free press, […]
We back anti-corruption campaigner Chin’ono
The Commonwealth Journalists Association deplores the arrest of the distinguished Zimbabwean journalist Hopewell Chin’ono, on charges of incitement to participate in public violence. He is currently out on bail after being arrested last July. The arrest followed extensive investigative reporting by Mr Chin’ono, in which he revealed the existence of contracts allegedly linking senior members […]
Reuter Fellowships open
Applications for the Journalist Fellowship Programme at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism are now open. The programme, based at the University of Oxford, is one of the world’s leading schemes for practising, mid-career journalists to take some time out from their day jobs to explore journalism in depth. Most of the Journalist […]
Taking a stand for the safety of journalists
By Anne Gallagher, Director-General of the Commonwealth Foundation The United Nations declared 2 November as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, recognising those whose lives have been cut short or destroyed because of their commitment to truth, justice and accountability. Over the past 14 years, close to 1,200 journalists have been killed for reporting […]
Why state action is needed to protect media freedom
Can Yeginsu, a member of the High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom set up last year, says “concrete changes” in the actions of states are needed to reverse a marked decline in media freedom standards worldwide. The Panel’s core goal is to bring about a higher level of compliance by state authorities with the […]
CJA welcomes report on safe refuge for journalists at risk
The Commonwealth Journalists Association warmly welcomes the report of the Independent High-Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom and urges Commonwealth governments to implement its detailed recommendations to provide safe refuge to journalists at risk. Endorsing the report, Mahendra Ved, President of the CJA, said: ‘ This is a timely report which offers some […]