At the annual General Assembly of the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), which opened in Ankara, delegates unanimously adopted a motion calling for the greater involvement of young journalists in the work and decision-making processes of journalists’ organisations.
Representing the Croatian Journalists’ Association (CJA), delegate and President of the CJA Youth Journalists’ Section, Laura Šiprak Đuričić, welcomed the adoption of the motion and stressed Croatia’s strong support for the initiative.
“Our organisation has been discussing how to involve young journalists for the past three years, particularly given the challenges posed by the ageing profile of the journalism profession in Croatia. After overcoming numerous obstacles, we established the Youth Journalists’ Section just two months ago, and today I am here both as a member of the CJA Central Committee and as President of the Youth Section.
Including young journalists must not be mere rhetoric because it sounds good to call us the future. It has to be a deliberate and meaningful action. The time for our inclusion should have come long ago, but better late than never. Young journalists must be equal participants in decisions affecting our profession because we are the ones who, hopefully, will be doing this work until retirement. I believe there is no better way to preserve journalism than by combining the experience and wisdom of senior journalists with the enthusiasm and energy of younger generations. There is strength in numbers. That is why I invite all of you to support this motion,” Laura Šiprak Đuričić said.
Through this motion, the EFJ clearly recognises the need to actively engage young journalists as the future of the profession and of journalists’ organisations across Europe.
Opening the General Assembly, EFJ President Maja Sever reflected on the growing challenges facing journalism across Europe.
“Every year, when I stand before the General Assembly at the opening of our annual meeting, it seems there are new threats, new reasons for concern and new examples of the erosion of democratic standards across Europe.
Yet every year also reminds us why journalism matters. When freedom and democracy come under attack, journalists are the first to defend them. Every time we think we have reached the limits of political polarisation, social distrust and open attacks on the media, reality proves us wrong. It shows us that the space for freedom can shrink even further, that the threshold of acceptable violence against journalists can be pushed even higher, and that those who build their power on manipulation and fear always find new ways to weaken those who ask questions, verify facts and seek answers,” Sever said.
She concluded her address on a note of determination.
“As long as there are journalists willing to ask difficult questions, investigate those in power and defend the public interest, there is hope for democracy. As long as we have the strength and solidarity to stand together, there is no threat we cannot overcome. We will not give up on journalism.”