International

From its earliest days, when the British Empire still covered a fifth of the globe, the Institute of Journalists has always been outward-looking, with an interest in journalists and journalists’ problems in far-distant locations. This interest continued into the 20th and now the 21st centuries, though times have changed and attacks on the ‘messenger’ are only too frequently as violent as attacks on the ‘message.’

International is now one of the most important Divisions of the Chartered Institute, the oldest organisation of professional journalists in the world, with members in 32 countries. Its membership is open, not only to British journalists based, temporarily or permanently, outside the British Isles, but also to journalists of any nationality who share the Institute’s aims and aspirations. These include the policy that, although individual journalists may have political opinions, their association should be non-political in nature. This, however, does not prevent the Institute pressing governments and intergovernmental authorities to take appropriate action in support of journalists’ human and industrial rights. The Institute founded the Media Society, was a Founder Member of INSI, the International News Safety Institute, and its voice is heard in many other national and international organisations, meetings and discussions.

What does the International Division do?

Let’s start with the simple things. The distinguishing letters MCIJ after an individual’s name, following his or her acceptance as a Member, identify and qualify that person as a professional journalist. The Institute’s multilingual International Press Card – only available to International members, or to other CIoJ members travelling extensively overseas - is a physical embodiment of that qualification, with security features that make forgery difficult and can be checked with CIoJ HQ at any time. Inserts in other languages, from Arabic and Hebrew to Russian, Chinese and Japanese, are available from HQ. And, within reason (since the International Committee are all unpaid volunteers donating their services for the benefit of members), the Division and CIoJ HQ will do their best to assist with individual problems. Institute charities are open to all members, wherever they are located.

Events

In recent years the International Division has organised several overseas Conferences (Annual General Meetings) and information visits for all members of the Institute. The conferences have included Gibraltar in 1999, Cyprus in 2002, Berlin in 2004 and Malta in 2006. Visits have included a 3-day visit to the European Union institutions in Brussels. These meetings are made especially attractive for international members, who can often go or fly to them more easily than to meetings in London.

International has also organised an impressive series of Diplomatic Receptions in London, wherever possible at such historic venues as the Houses of Parliament and the Tower of London. The focus changes from year to year, sometimes concentrating on ambassadors and at other times, for instance, on press attachés. Such meetings can have long-lasting results, not only in the UK but also in the countries represented by the invitees.

Future

For the future, the CIoJ looks to its existing members to expand in their own locality, to set up more chapters, and to extend the Institute’s historic influence on journalistic rights and ethics. The International Division stands ready to give all assistance possible to these aims and objectives.

Click here for the April 2008 edition of International Journalist

Click here for the February 2008 edition of International Journalist

Click here for the November 2007 edition of International Journalist

Click here for the September 2007 edition of International Journalist

Click here for the August 2007 edition of International Journalist