JournalismPakistan.com | Published 9 years ago
Join our WhatsApp channel
BRUSSELS - Legislators must take concrete steps against unfair contractual clauses in their laws. This is the message put across by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) to mark World Copyright and Book Day on April 23.
The organizations warn against the continuing trend developed by media companies to use rights- grabbing contracts. Journalists who sign those contracts not only lose the right to use their works autonomously, but also the (moral) right to protect the integrity of their works. These practices allow for the same work to be used many times for one single payment and deprive news outlets from the quality and diversity they need.
The IFJ and the EFJ call on international legislators to provide solid safeguards preventing journalists from forced assignment of their authors’ rights in contractual negotiations.
“Many media companies claim full assignment of journalists’ authors’ rights to trade easily,“ said IFJ President Jim Boumelha. “Journalists, especially freelancers, are in a weak position when it comes to negotiation time. Unless a collective agreement is in place, freelancers are faced with a take it or leave it situation and forced to sign away all their authors’ rights. It is time to take concrete steps to outlaw these practices”.
The Federations have compiled samples of unfair contractual clauses in place across the world.
The Federations point at the impoverishment of qualitative news content when the same stories are being reused without proper remuneration for journalists. They have developed a check list of minimum conditions journalists’ contracts should meet to protect authors’ rights.
“The right to be named as the author, to be able to oppose substantive modifications of one’s work, to receive additional payment when works are being made available in online archives are among the provisions we would like to see enforced in all contracts” said Mogens Blicher Bjerregård EFJ President.
To mark World Copyright Day, the IFJ and EFJ call on their affiliates to share samples of abusive clauses and unfair contractual practices under #isitfair and use the fair contract logo in sign of solidarity. - IFJ
November 08, 2025: JournalismPakistan.com launches its new tagline, Linking Journalism Worldwide, reflecting global expansion beyond Pakistan with Asia, World, and Middle East coverage.
November 08, 2025: Veteran journalist Javed Iqbal Jaidi passes away in Shorkot after a long illness. Friends remember his humor, humility, and lifelong dedication to journalism.
November 07, 2025: JournalismPakistan.com launches a Middle East section to expand regional reporting. New coverage will follow JPâs editorial SOPsâverification, balanced sourcing, and two-stage reviewâplaced between Asia and World on the Home Page.
November 07, 2025: Russia accuses Pakistanâs Frontier Post of anti-Russia bias; the paper defends press freedom and independence. A diplomatic clash over media narratives.
November 07, 2025: Veteran journalist Javed Chaudhry bids farewell to Express News after 18 years on Kal Tak, marking the end of an era in Pakistani television journalism.
November 06, 2025: Information Minister Attaullah Tararâs job offer to Nukta staff draws criticism as hundreds of journalists across Pakistan face layoffs, salary delays, and job insecurity.
November 06, 2025: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announces jobs for 37 laid-off Nukta employees, saying they will be placed at digital platforms within 48 hours amid growing media uncertainty.
November 05, 2025: PTIâs Faisal Chaudhryâs witty reply to Gharidah Farooqi on GTVâs âG for Gharidahâ goes viral as a clip from their debate over the 27th Amendment sparks reactions online.
November 08, 2025 The Court of Appeals in the Philippines voided the civil forfeiture case against journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and layworker Marielle Domequil, ruling that no proof linked them to the CPP-NPA.
November 07, 2025 UN and rights groups warn of escalating media repression in Myanmar, citing arrests, censorship, and digital surveillance that threaten to erase independent journalism.
November 07, 2025 Iran has intensified online censorship, blocking independent news sites and social channels, sparking protests from journalist groups over the growing suppression of press freedom.
November 07, 2025 Six Turkish journalists have been summoned over coverage of opposition mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, raising fresh concerns about press freedom and political repression in Turkey.
November 07, 2025 Over 285 journalists have been killed in Gaza since 2023, exposing a severe impunity crisis and raising calls for global action to protect press freedom.