Rwanda,(insidesomalia.org)- The Eastern Africa Journalists Association (EAJA) organised a two-day workshop on Strengthening Trade Union Capacity of Journalists' Organisations in Eastern Africa in Kigali, Rwanda.  

Leaders of journalists' unions and associations in Eastern Africa countries came together to enhance acceptable working conditions, to end increasing intolerance toward independent journalism and to exchange & share how to run democratically accountable journalists' trade unions.

The workshop, which took place on 8-9 July 2008 at Stipp Hotel, was formally hosted by Association Rwandaise des Journalistes (ARJ) with the support of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). The workshop participants, in addition, talked about rights of journalists, including the right to operate in a safe environment and freedom to report professionally.

"Many journalists in this region are exposed, helpless, demoralized and priceless at their workplaces as well as outside their media houses" said Omar Faruk Osman, EAJA Secretary General.

Journalists' leaders expressed that working conditions of journalists continue to be appalling. "Our people (journalists) work with low wages and in unfavourable conditions that have negative impact on press freedom with many journalists no longer enjoying job security and fundamental human rights" said Gaspard Safari, President of the ARJ.

Director of IFJ Africa Office Mr. Gabriel Baglo, who was present at the workshop, stated that working conditions of journalists in most of Eastern Africa countries have deteriorated. He emphasized that IFJ members in the region have strong central voice on social and professional rights of journalists and other media workers. He underlined that poor working and living conditions of journalists have grave impact on democratic function of the media.

"While colleagues are endeavouring to adhere to professional values of objective reporting, their social and professional rights are no more respected and protected by several governments and employers" Omar Faruk Osman said.

For journalists' safety and press freedom, workshop participants condemned the intentional attacks against journalists to hurt, harass, silence or even kill them. Journalists' leaders demanded that those possess and manage the news media organisations take more responsibility for the safety of their journalists and for the wellbeing of their families.

At the end of the workshop, journalists resolved to seek minimum standard of social and professional conditions of service for journalists in Eastern Africa, organise national and regional courses of safety training for journalists in the region, provide swift responses and solidarity actions for journalists who are in risk in the region and to promote human rights and trade unionism in each country of the region.

With the journalists' unions and associations from the region and the IFJ, the Rwandese Minister of Information Honourable Mushikiwabo Louise officiated the workshop.