History

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The Commonwealth Journalists Association is a professional association for working journalists throughout the Commonwealth. Journalists in Commonwealth countries have much in common but their circumstances vary. In many countries the media lacks resources, comes under pressure from government and commercial interests – and under threats from criminals and even terrorists. Access to high quality training is difficult in many Commonwealth countries and in most there may be no machinery for working journalists to get together and discuss their common problems, the changes to their profession and the new threats from security efforts and manipulation, particularly in developed countries of the Commonwealth.

The CJA exists to remedy this situation, to bring journalists closer together whether they are working in print, broadcasting, or on-line journalism, and to help raise their status and quality. The CJA has branches in some Commonwealth countries, and members in all.
The CJA was founded in 1978 by a group of journalists after a conference of Commonwealth non-governmental organisations in Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada. The launch had the support of the then Commonwealth Secretary-General Shridath Ramphal as well as the Director of the Commonwealth Foundation – the body which over many years has generously provided core funding to the CJA.

Since 1983 the CJA has organised training courses for journalists in many Commonwealth countries and in many fields, such as basic reporting, environmental journalism, election reporting, and financial analysis. Training programmes are funded mainly by the Commonwealth Media Development Fund, which was set up by Commonwealth Heads of Government in 1981. And currently the CJA is working with the Commonwealth Foundation on courses and seminars which underline the importance of fair and accurate journalism to the operation of good governance and civil society.

The CJA co-operates closely with other media bodies such as the Commonwealth Press Union and the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association in defending the independence and safety of journalists where these are seen to be in danger. And the CJA is one of the bodies which founded the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI).

Every three years or so the CJA holds a major conference of members: Cyprus (1983), India (1987), Barbados (1990), Namibia (1994), Hong Kong (1997), Nigeria (2001) and Bangladesh (2003) and now Kuching in 2008.

The CJA is headed by a President and three vice-Presidents with an Executive Committee of journalists elected by the conference and drawn from the different regions of the Commonwealth. A London Management Committee, representing the Executive members, helps to formulate policy, with the day to day work carried out by a part-time Executive Director and Executive Secretary.

Derek Ingram OBE from the UK was elected first President in 1983. Together with Patrick Keatley, Derek is one of the founding fathers of the Association. Ray Ekpu (Nigeria) was elected to succeed Derek in 1990 and Murray Burt (Canada) was elected in 1997 and again in 2001. The current President is Hassan Shahriar of Bangladesh. Our executive director Bryan Cantley is based in Toronto, Canada.

Prior to Bryan taking the job, the CJA’s headquarters and executive director were in Trinidad and Tobago. Our intention was to build the CJA brand in the West Indies and increase our membership and profile throughout the region. Our aim now is to build our profile in the developed countries of the Commonwealth — most notably Canada, Australia and and the UK.

The CJA is an Association for the individual journalist. As such it will never be rich or all-powerful. Its strength comes from quiet work and moral influence in speaking for journalists and defending their interests. That strength depends on the size and range of the membership. You can help by joining and by persuading your colleagues to join.

Written by Pieter Wessels and Chris Cobb