PARIS: Hundreds of delegates from Pakistan and all over the world will converge here on 4th of May, 2026 to attend 4-day Centenary World Congress of International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).
And why Paris? IFJ President Dominique Pradalié deciphered: “We have returned to Paris, the birthplace of the IFJ, marking a century of solidarity and trade union struggles for press freedom, quality journalism, and fair working conditions for all our members. This congress promises to be a powerful gathering, and we hope our delegates leave inspired—with renewed strength, hope, and unity.”
Dominique Pradalié, who has been IFJ President since 2022, is preparing to hand over to her successor. Pradalié looks back on four years full of courage and solidarity: from the Council of Europe’s recognition of Julian Assange as a political prisoner to the 1,860 Mauritanian journalists whose contracts have been regularised to the emotional live broadcast with journalists in Gaza.
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Congress is being held with the support of IFJ’s French affiliates SNJ, SNJ-CGT, CFDT, and Force Ouvrière.
Official Sponsors:
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Congress under the banner of ‘100 years of international solidarity for strong journalism and trade unionism’ will commence commemorating the World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) which serves as an important reminder of the importance of a free, independent media in upholding democracy.
Back to back with the WPFD, Centenary Congress of IFJ is scheduled to be held at Novotel Paris Est, Porte de Bagnolet, 2026. It will be preceded by an event at the Théâtre de la Concorde.
PARIS: Congress will be officially opened on Monday (4th May) at the Théâtre de la Concorde.
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PARIS: The IFJ Centenary Congress will be held at the Novotel Paris Est Conference Center.
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Marking its 100th anniversary, the congress will reflect on the continued commitment of IFJ to social justice, decent working conditions, and freedom of expression for media workers, electing a new executive committee and deciding the Federation’s strategic direction for 2026 to 2029 for its 188 affiliated journalist unions speaking on behalf of 600,000 members.
The IFJ has also invited numerous international guests, including representatives from several United Nations agencies, including UNESCO and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), as well as the secretaries-general of global trade union confederations, long-standing partners, and friends of the Federation.
The Congress agenda includes pertinent discussions on issues of artificial intelligence, climate change, media safety, youth engagement, gender equality, surveillance, and more, all anchored in the IFJ’s core values of solidarity, trade unionism, and press freedom.
On the Press Freedom Day (3rd May, 2026) António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, stated:
“People often say that in war, truth is the first casualty. But far too frequently, the first casualties are the journalists who risk everything to report that truth – not only in war, but wherever those in power fear scrutiny. Across the globe, media workers risk censorship, surveillance, legal harassment – and even death. Recent years have seen a sharp rise in the number of journalists killed – often deliberately targeted – in war zones.
“Eighty-five percent of the crimes committed against journalists go uninvestigated and unpunished: an unacceptable level of impunity. Economic pressures, new technologies, and active manipulation are also putting press freedom under unprecedented strain. When access to reliable information erodes, mistrust takes root. When public debate is distorted, social cohesion weakens.
“And when journalism is undermined, crises become far more difficult to prevent and resolve. All freedom depends on press freedom. Without it, there can be no human rights, no sustainable development – and no peace. On this World Press Freedom Day, let us protect the rights of journalists, and build a world where the truth – and truth-tellers – are safe.”
Flow of Events:
4 May
Opening Session – Théâtre de la Concorde (2pm)
1 Avenue Gabriel, 75008 Paris
Concorde metro station
Reception: Hôtel de Ville (7.00 pm)
Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, 75004
Hôtel de Ville metro station
If you haven’t already done so, please make sure you register here
5–7 May
Novotel Paris-Est – Porte de Bagnolet (reserved for conference delegates)
(9am–6pm)
1 Avenue de la République 93177 BAGNOLET (France)
GPS coordinates: 48.863202, 2.414708
Agenda
SUNDAY 3 MAY 2026 Arrival of delegates and check-in at the Novotel hotel in Paris
MONDAY 4 MAY 2026
09:00–12:00 Registration at the Novotel Hotel in Paris
12.30 Departure by coach from the Novotel (but it is possible to go directly to the venue)
Théâtre de la Concorde – Open to the public (by registration)
2.00 ‘International law in the service of press freedom’
Moderator: Dominique Pradalié, President of the IFJ
Panellists: Jennifer Robinson, barrister at Doughty Street Chambers, London, and human rights specialist;
Louise El Yafi and Inès Davau, barristers at the Paris Bar; William Bourdon, barrister at the Paris Bar; and
Professor Carmen Draghici, Professor of Law at City, University of London (United Kingdom)
3.15 pm Q&A with the audience
3.40 pm Address by Marya Gabriel, Assistant Director-General of UNESCO (video)
3.45 ‘Journalism in the age of AI: independence, rights and truth under scrutiny’
Moderator: Anthony Bellanger, General Secretary of the IFJ
Panellists: Dr Konrad Bleyer-Simon, Researcher at the Robert Schuman Centre / European
University Institute (Florence); Zuliana Lainez, First Vice-President of the IFJ (Asociación Nacional
de Periodistas – Peru); Edward Hasbrouck, Copyright Specialist (National Writers Union – USA);
Refka Payssan, journalist and AI researcher at the University of Paris (National Union of Tunisian
Journalists – SNJT – Tunisia); Eric Barbier, journalist (National Union of Journalists – France).
5.00 pm Discussion with the audience
5.15 pm Opening of the IFJ Centenary Congress by Dominique Pradalié, IFJ President
5.45 pm Speeches by Marylise Léon, General Secretary of the CFDT (French Democratic Confederation of
Labour); Sophie Binet, General Secretary of the CGT (General Confederation of Labour); Frédéric
Souillot, General Secretary of FO (Workers’ Force); and Murielle Guilbert, General Delegate of the
Solidaires Trade Union
6.15 pm Departure for Paris City Hall
7.00 pm Paris City Hall: Welcome addresses by Emmanuel Grégoire, Mayor of Paris, and Dominique
Pradalié, President of the FIJ
Cocktail reception and concert by ‘UTOPIA ici et maintenant’
10.30 pm Departure by coach to the Novotel
Novotel Paris-Est – Porte de Bagnolet (reserved for conference delegates)
TUESDAY 5 MAY 2026
09:00 Welcome by the IFJ General Secretary
Introduction of the General Secretaries of the four host unions: SNJ, SNJ-CGT, CFDT-Journalistes and
SGJ-FO
Introduction of the IFJ staff
09:10 Election of members of the Presidium and the Commissions, and vote on the rules of procedure
09:45 Report by the General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger, followed by a debate
11.20 [Message of solidarity: Reporters missing in action, with Fabienne Nérac]
11.30 Cof ee break
11.45 [Discussion: ‘Strengthening support for independent journalists around the world’]
Presenter: Pablo Aiquel, freelance journalist, General Secretary of the SNJ-CGT (France)
Panellist: Henry Peirse, from journalists.net
12.00 [Discussion: “Being a journalist in violent environments and conflict zones”]
Moderator: Jim Boumelha, Honorary Treasurer of the IFJ, Chair of the Convention Expert Group
Panellists: Nasser Abu Baker (IFJ Vice-President – PJS President – Palestine); Sergyi Tomilenko (NUJU –
Ukraine); Marie-Raphaëlle Pierre (AJH – Haiti); Mohammed Shubaita (YJS – Yemen), Alsadig
Ibrahim Ahmed (SJU – Sudan)
13:00–14:30 Lunch
13:30–14:00: Appeals Committee
14:00–14:30: Resolutions Committee
14:00–14:40: Finance Committee
14:00–14:30: Parallel workshop on media coverage of the climate crisis (40–50 people)
14:40 IFJ Continental Meetings: Africa, Latin America, North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe (plenary and
breakout rooms)
15:40 Committee reports in plenary
16:00 [Round table: ‘IFJ and affiliates’ strategies on surveillance’ – IFJ project – BRAVE]
Moderator: Jeremy Dear, IFJ External Expert
Panellists: Samar Al Halal, Digital Rights and Digital Security Expert (Lebanon); Séamus Dooley, Deputy
General Secretary of the NUJ UK/Ireland; Samira de Castro (FENAJ – Brazil).
Closing of nominations for the elections
17:00 [Discussion: “100 Years of IFJ History: Book Launch”]
Panel: Anthony Bellanger, IFJ General Secretary, and Florence Le Cam, Professor at the Université libre de
Bruxelles (ULB)
5.30 pm [Round table: IFJ Global Media Youth Group]
Moderator: Nisrine Salameh, IFJ International Projects Officer
Panellists: Marguerite Bosita, Chair of the Young Workers’ Group (National Union of
Press Professionals – DRC), Shafi Karimi (Afghan Independent Journalists Union – Afghanistan/France)
and Thiago Cianga Tanji (FENAJ – Brazil), members
5.45 pm Presentation: The 90th anniversary of the Commission for the Professional Journalists’ Identity Card (CCIJP) by
Catherine Lozac’h, Chair of the CCIJP
5.55 pm Message of solidarity from Dmitri Muratov (video), 2021 Nobel Peace Prize laureate
6.00 pm Closing
6.30 pm Departure by coach from the Novotel
7.00 pm Dinner cruise on the Seine (bateau-mouche) and opera singing
10.45 pm Departure by coach to the Novotel
WEDNESDAY 6 MAY 2026
09:00 Report by the Honorary Treasurer, Jim Boumelha, followed by discussion and vote on the audited accounts for
2025 and the budget for 2026
10.00 Report from the IFJ Finance Committee, by Edouard Adzotsa (USYPAC, Congo-Brazzaville),
10.10 Presentation of candidates for the Administrative and Executive Committees
11.15 Cof ee break
11.30 Debate and vote on amendments to the constitution
12.00 [Speech by Luc Triangle, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation]
12.15 [Round table: ‘What future for public service broadcasting around the world?’]
Moderator: Raffaele Lorusso (FNSI – Italy)
Panellists: Annick Charrette, President of the FNCC (Canada); Antoine Chuzeville, journalist at France
TV, First General Secretary of the SNJ (France); Laura Davison, journalist, General Secretary of the NUJ
(United Kingdom/Ireland); Michiko Kurita (Japan Freelance Union)
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Elections
15:00 [Speeches by Guilherme Canela de Souza Godoi and Andrea Cairola, representatives of UNESCO]
3.10 pm Debate and vote on amendments to the statutes (end), followed by a debate on ordinary motions
5.00 pm [Discussion: ‘Journalists’ authors’ rights…’]
Moderator: Pamela Morinière, Head of the “Communication and Campaigns” department at the IFJ
Panellists: Anita Huss-Ekerhult, Secretary General of IFRRO; Edouard Hasbrouck, copyright expert
(National Writers Union – USA)
5.30 pm Debate and vote on ordinary motions (continued)
6.30 pm Closing
Free evening or sightseeing in Paris (with the French trade unions)
THURSDAY 7 MAY 2026
9.00 am Debate and vote on ordinary motions (continued)
10.45 am Cof ee break
11.00 [Message of solidarity: Mumia Abu Jamal Collective]
11.10 Debate and vote on ordinary motions (continued)
12:00 [Round table: ‘Trade union priorities for gender equality’]
Moderator: Pamela Morinière, IFJ gender expert
Panellists: María-Ángeles Samperio, Chair of the IFJ Gender Council (FAPE – Spain); Samira de Castro
Cunha (FENAJ, Brazil) and Alicia Ortega (APU, Uruguay), coordinators for Latin America and the Caribbean;
Javeria Siddique, coordinator for Asia-Pacific (PFUJ – Pakistan); Manuela Bermudez (CFDT – France) and
Domenica Mima Caligaris (FNSI – Italy), coordinators for Europe; Patrica Adjisseku (UJIT, Togo),
coordinator for Africa.
12.45 pm Speech by Julian Assange (video)
13:00 Lunch
14:30 Debate and voting on ordinary and urgent motions
4.45 pm [Statement by the IFJ Climate Action Team (CAT)]
Moderator: Natàlia Queralt, CAT Lead at the IFJ
Panellist: Jennifer Moreau, Chair of the CAT (Unifor-Canada)
5.00 pm [Workshop: ‘How to involve journalists in media literacy?’]
17:15 Closing address by the new IFJ President
17:30 Meeting of the new Executive Committee
6.00 pm Closing
6.30 pm Departure by coach from the Novotel
7.00 pm Arab World Institute: Solidarity gathering for murdered journalists (group photo)
Gala dinner and concert
10.45 pm Departure by coach to the Novotel
FRIDAY 8 MAY
Departure of conference delegates and/or tour of Paris (with French trade unions)
Newspakistan.tv
M. M. Alam is a Pakistan-based working journalist since 1981. Karachi University faculty gold medalist Alam began his career forty-five years ago by writing for Dawn, Pakistan’s highest circulating English daily. He has worked for region’s leading publications, global aviation periodicals including Rotors (of USA) and vetted New York Times as permanent employee of daily Express Tribune. Alam regularly covers international aviation and defense-related events including Salon Du Bourget (France), Farnborough (United Kingdom), Dubai (UAE). Alam has reported thousands of events and interviewed hundreds of people in Pakistan, UAE, EU, UK and USA. Being Francophone Alam also coordinates with a number of French publications.
