Live News - A Survival Guide - International Federation of Journalists

CHAPTER 7Fighting back: What the IFJ and journalists’organisations can do110darity among Azeri journalists has won out against the odds, everytime it has been tested.“…External pressure especially from the Council of Europe hasbeen vital in securing change. But, in my opinion, almost equallyvital has been the way in which the various journalistic associationsand unions work together for a common goal, such as the creationof a press council or protection of journalists from policeassault. … I have observed a high degree of collaboration and coordinationbetween the two groups (Journalists' Trade Union —JuHI — and the Yeni Nesil Journalists Union of Azerbaijan) on theissue of the press council and on other matters.”Georgia has the most liberal press laws in the region, but themost dangerous conditions for journalists. In July 2000, GiorgiSanaia, the host of a political talk show, was shot dead by anunknown assailant. In September, Antonio Russo from the Italianstation Radio Radicale was murdered. Some journalists believe themurder was a reprisal for his coverage of the Chechnya war.Threats and attacks on journalists are common, and one resulthas been self-censorship. But, it is possible to stand up against thethugs. When Akaki Gogichaishvili, host of the 60 Minutes news programme,exposed corruption in the Union of Writers of Georgia,he was summoned to the Deputy State Prosecutor's office, wherehe was advised to consult with his parents about the dangers ofsuch broadcasts. The next day he received a death threat. Instead ofwithdrawing, he held a press conference and a public protest. Afterthree days, the President ordered protection for Gogichaishvili.ColombiaThe risks to journalists in Colombia were highlighted in Chapter 4.Following a mission to Colombia in 2002, the IFJ Executive supportedthe creation of a Colombian Journalists’ Solidarity Centre. ThisIFJ project is designed to organise humanitarian support and assistanceto journalists and media staff and their families, monitorattacks, improve risk awareness and raise awareness of theimportance of safe journalism and the need to defend freedom ofexpression.The centre will offer emergency aid with the support of the IFJSafety Fund through an agreement with Fundación para laLibertad de la Prensa (FLIP) — a Colombian NGO which is a memberof IFEX (International Freedom of Expression eXchange) and has acountrywide alert network with a system of investigation, verifica-