Thompson

The Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) has been admitted, as an associate member, to the Belgium-based International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

A release from the PAJ said the IFJ executive committee made the decision during its meeting in Brussels late October, then communicated it recently to the local press organisation.

The IFJ, the world's largest organisation of journalists, represents around 500,000 members in more than 100 countries. First established in 1926, the IFJ was relaunched in 1946 and again, in its present form, in 1952. It promotes international action to defend press freedom and social justice through strong, free and independent trade unions of journalists.

As an associate member, the PAJ has access to all the IFJ's services, except voting rights at it triennial congress. Services include professional advice, IFJ press cards, and access to several professional media studies.

In March this year, PAJ president Desmond Richards, second vice-president Hylton Dennis, and The Gleaner's assignment coordinator Glenroy Sinclair participated in a conference on World Peace hosted by the Journalist Association of Korea and the IFJ. The four-day event was held in Seoul, South Korea, and Mount Keumgang in North Korea.