The historical aspect of the transformation of the International Union of Journalists

Shafir Timur Vladimirovich Lecturer at the Department of Communication Technologies, Moscow State Linguistic University 38 Ostozhenka str., Moscow, 119034, Russia tim.shafir@yandex.ru Other publications by this author     Kulakova Darina Vladlenovna Postgraduate student, Department of International Journalism, St. Petersburg State University 199034, Russia, Saint Petersburg, Universitetskaya str., 7/9 darina.kulakova@yandex.com

Nikonov Sergey Borisovich ORCID: 0000-0002-8340-1541 Doctor of Politics Professor of the Department of International Journalism, St. Petersburg State University 199034, Russia, Saint Petersburg, Universitetskaya str., 7/9, 707 NikonovS@mail.ru Other publications by this author

Introduction

At the beginning of the 20th century, non-governmental organizations began to occupy an important place in shaping both the international and domestic agendas of States. It was noted that "researchers of international NGOs, noting the extraordinary activity in the creation of private, non-profit, voluntary organizations, associations and foundations, foreshadowed the onset, in the near future, of the so-called "revolution associative" - the "revolution of associations". At the same time, it was suggested that the changing status of non-governmental organizations in pan-European and global institutions gave reason to believe that in recent years they should have played a dynamic role in various areas related to the reforms and development of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Russia and other CIS countries" ^[1]. During this period, there was an active formation, or declaration of the need for the development of the global information space. The scientists wrote that: "the globalization of the information space has made it possible for journalism to change significantly and adapt more flexibly to the conditions of market and political relations ^[2]. This statement had the right to exist, since the development of the information society as a "concept of social development, developed by Eneji Masuda, Daniel Bell, Alvin Toffler in the second half of the twentieth century was a priority. According to the concept of the information society, the main factor of social development is the scientific and technological revolution" ^[3]. However, in our opinion, the scientific and technical revolution has led to completely different results. The global information space began to degenerate into a system of a glocalizing society. There is nothing prejudicial in this, as it confirms the philosophical understanding of dialectics. "Materialistic dialectics is the doctrine of universal connection and development that occur in nature, society and human thinking" ^[4]. The second law of dialectics on the transition of quantity to quality, formulated by G. Hegel, has once again shown its viability ^[5]. Scientists who carefully study the activities of non-governmental organizations have studied, among other things, the activities of journalistic organizations ^[6]. At the same time, there are not many works related to the formation of the international Federation of Journalists. At the same time, in our opinion, it is important to consolidate the political and legal facts of the activities and chronology of the creation of an international non-governmental organization. This is noted in their works by Russian scientists A.G. Richter and N.D. Tabakova ^[7,8]. In preparing this article, the thoughts and developments of T. Gospil and G. Boher were used ^[11,12].

Research methods

The research methods used include historical analysis, namely, the study of historical documents, archival materials, protocols of congresses and congresses related to the creation and development of the IJ, IFJ and IFJAFC. A content analysis of the texts of articles, statements and reports related to organizations was carried out in order to identify key topics, approaches and dynamics in their activities. In our work, we used a comparison of approaches, strategies and goals of various participating countries in the context of professional activities of journalists. Moreover, a geopolitical analysis and impact analysis were conducted to examine the impact of geopolitical factors such as political alliances, conflicts and interests of various countries on the development and split of organizations and assess the impact of the split of the MEDIA on the global journalistic scene, including the impact on press freedom and international cooperation.

The novelty of this study lies in the fact that there are very few such materials in the scientific literature devoted to the history of journalism in Russia, and they mainly concerned the regions of Russia and the development of regional journalism.

The results of the study

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the world's largest organization of journalists, represents 600,000 media workers from 187 trade unions and associations in more than 140 countries.

First established in 1926 in Paris, the International Federation of Journalists resumed its activities as the International Organization of Journalists (IOJ) on June 8, 1946, after a congress in Copenhagen with representatives of 21 countries of the anti-Hitler coalition. However, after a short time, the British and American embassies accused the MOJ of supporting Soviet propaganda and later the British National Union of Journalists (NUJ), the American Association of National Journalists (ANG) and other Western trade unions withdrew from the MOJ.

In its current form, the International Federation of Journalists was founded in 1952 in Brussels. After the collapse of the Russian Union of Journalists, the Union of Journalists of Russia joined the International Federation of Journalists in 1996 and actively worked to protect the rights of journalists. At the same time, the Russian Union was the largest constituent part of the International Federation of Journalists (about 70 thousand people).

But after Russia launched a special military operation in February 2022, the unions of journalists of Finland, Norway, Denmark and Iceland announced their intention to leave IFJ due to the presence of the national Union of Journalists of the Russian Federation in it. The ultimatum on the "Russian issue" was delivered due to the opening of regional offices in the DPR, LPR, Kherson and Zaporizhia regions (in territories that the applicants do not recognize as Russian). And in February 2023, despite the fact that the organization claims that it is not connected with politics, but is exclusively engaged in protecting the rights of journalists, the IFJ froze the membership of the Russian Federation in the organization. It will be possible to return to the issue of Russia's return to work as part of the International Federation of Journalists only in 2026, if necessary. Given that the journalistic community is not represented in the International Federation of Journalists and given that the IFJ is turning into a political organization, moving away from its declared non-political obligations, the Russian Union of Journalists may decide to withdraw from the IFJ.

This article describes the stages of development of the International Organization of Journalists (IJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). In addition, their activities are analyzed, as well as the geopolitical factors affecting the development of these organizations.

After the collapse of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) in December 1941, a new organization was established in London called the International Federation of Journalists of Allied or Free Countries (IFJAFC). In its charter, it recognized itself as the successor to the ideas of the IFJ. The main tasks of the IFJAFC were to protect and support freedom of the press, as well as the desire to restore IFJ.

By the time of the Second Congress in October 1942, the IFJAFC consisted of journalists from various countries such as Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Great Britain, Czechoslovakia, "Free France", Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, the USSR and Yugoslavia. The IFJAFC President was Archibald Kenyon from Great Britain, the vice presidents were Alexander Sverlov from the USSR and Tor Yesdal from Norway, the treasurer was Jiri Hronek from Czechoslovakia, and the secretary was L. A. Berry from Great Britain.

The creation of the International Organization of Journalists (IOJ) in 1946-47 was associated with the World Congress of Journalists, which was held in Copenhagen from 3 to 9 June 1946 and brought together 165 delegates from 21 countries, including the USA, the USSR, Greece, Iceland, Australia and Peru. The official report on the congress told the story of the formation of the:

"Before its creation, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), founded in 1926 and dissolved in 1941, as well as the International Federation of Journalists of Allied or Free Countries (IFJAFC), which continued its activities since 1941 in the field of international cooperation of journalists, collapsed" ^[9].

The objectives of the Organization were set out in its provisional charter, which was unanimously adopted with the condition that any participating country could propose amendments or additions at the next Congress in Prague in 1947. It was discussed whether the organization should be created "exclusively as a trade union", as proposed by the General Secretary of the British NUJ, or whether it should be based on a more individualistic approach of "continental intellectualism" supported by the Swiss delegates. Representatives of the USSR advocated trade union activity, while simultaneously supporting the creation of a "code of morality" for journalists.

After discussion and adoption of a compromise decision, the Chairman proposed the immediate creation of an International Organization of Journalists (IAU), and this proposal was accepted. The provisional charter of the new organization was developed by a committee of the Congress, which included delegates from Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, South Africa, Great Britain, the USA and the USSR. In addition to these nine countries, the founders were also trade unions from Australia, Greece, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and Yugoslavia. The USSR (30,000 journalists), the USA (25,000) and the UK (8000) were the largest member unions.

The provisional Charter was adopted unanimously, and its first article established the name and temporary location of the headquarters in London. The six officials elected at the Copenhagen Congress included President Archibald Kenyon (Great Britain), Vice Presidents Eugene Morel (France), Thor Yesdal (Norway), Milton Murray (USA) and Alexander Sverlov (USSR), as well as Secretary-Treasurer Keith Bean (Australia).

The 2nd Congress of the International Organization of Journalists (IOJ) was convened in Prague from 3 to 7 June 1947. Despite the unity of the world of journalism, international politics was on the verge of a cold war. The greeting to the Congress from the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Trygve Lee, was presented by his Special Representative, Thor Yesdal. He said that the University has received official consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

The Prague Congress was attended by 208 delegates and guests from 28 countries. Representatives of Austria, Bulgaria, Egypt, Hungary, Iran, Palestine, the Philippines, Romania, Spain (as a guest) and Venezuela were added to the 21 countries that were present in Copenhagen. However, representatives of New Zealand, Peru and Turkey, who participated in the previous congress, were absent.

All the organizations present were accepted as members in the IOC, with the exception of Egypt and Iran. These unions included not only journalists, but also owners of media holdings. The issue of their membership was referred to the Executive Committee for consideration. The dispute over the admission of an exiled group of Spanish journalists was resolved by a majority vote after a lively debate that turned into a Soviet-American dispute.

The debate regarding the future location of the headquarters of the Ministry of Defense was very acute. In Copenhagen, it was decided that London would only be a temporary base, and now it was proposed to place the headquarters in Prague. The British, especially supported by the Americans, were unwilling to change the location, while most others, including Scandinavian members, supported the new location. As a result, the headquarters was moved to Prague, at least until the next congress.

The headquarters debate was preceded by the unanimous adoption of the statute, as the charter was now called. It stipulated that the location of the headquarters of the Ministry of Defense "should be determined by Congress." It was predictable that this issue would be raised again during the discussion of the constitution.

The article on the "Goals and Objectives" of the International Organization of Journalists (IOJ), developed in Prague in 1947, basically repeated the wording presented in Copenhagen, but the new version was more detailed:

a) The protection of freedom of the press and the rights of journalists using all available means. A guarantee of people's right to receive information freely, fully, honestly and accurately.

b) Promoting international cooperation and mutual understanding through the free exchange of information.

c) Support for the trade union movement among journalists, protection of their professional rights and interests, as well as improvement of their economic situation.

The terms of membership were kept the same as discussed in Copenhagen: only one trade union from each country was eligible to join, but if several organizations applied to represent the country's journalists, the Executive Committee had the right to decide which one should be accepted.

The election of the top officials was held unanimously. Archibald Kenyon (Great Britain) He was re-elected president, and Milton M. Murray (USA), Pavel Yudin (USSR), Eugene Morel (France) and Gunnar Nielsen (Denmark) were elected vice presidents. Jiri Hronek (Czechoslovakia) was elected to the combined position of Secretary General and Treasurer. The proposal of the Belgian Union to hold the next congress in Brussels was adopted by acclamation.

The establishment of the MOJ was completed in Prague in 1947 with a constitution, diverse membership and the status of a non-governmental organization (NGO) at the United Nations. The international movement of Journalists demonstrated good organization and unity.

The period of the split of the MOJ, which occurred between 1948 and 1952, began after the Prague Congress, when the British and American embassies called the MOJ a pro-Soviet organization. Anti-communist sentiments were supported by ANG President Milton M. Murray and his successor Harry Martin. The internal split began at the United Nations Freedom of Information Conference in 1948, where the Czechoslovak Secretary General was criticized for supporting communist propaganda. Protests have arisen not only in the ANG, but also in the British NUJ.

The international situation in the 1940s became a source of tension for the UJ, which manifested itself in international conflicts and the division of trade unions into left-wing (pro-Soviet) and right-wing (pro-Western) factions. The crisis escalated in 1948, partly due to the active role of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in the split of the trade union movement during the Cold War. The split became open at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the MOJ in Budapest in 1948, as a result of which the NUJ, ANG and other Western trade unions left the organization.

In response to the events in Czechoslovakia, the unions of journalists from Denmark, Sweden and Norway protested. In 1949, the MOJ lost the majority of its members in Western Europe, which led to difficulties in organizing the congress. The split and loss of support led to the resignation of President Kenyon, the withdrawal of the invitation to Brussels and the relocation of the congress venue to Helsinki. In 1950, the MOJ lost a significant number of members in Western Europe, which accelerated its decline.

In the late 1940s, the organization underwent changes, becoming an organization where the main membership included unions of journalists from socialist countries of Central and Eastern Europe, as well as some Western associations with a "progressive and democratic" orientation. It also attracted members from developing countries. The General Secretary of the Organization, Hronek, became the subject of criticism in the West, but his goal was to maintain a common position in the prevailing conditions.

The division in the East and West was stimulated by the US Department of State, as well as the foreign Ministries of Great Britain and France. This led to the creation of an alternative organization called the International Federation of Free Journalists of Central and Eastern Europe, the Baltic States and the Balkans (IFFJ) in opposition to the EU. In 1952, the IFFJ was recognized by the ECOSOC Subcommittee on Freedom of Information and the Press, while the IFFJ lost its relationship with the UN and UNESCO. However, the IFFJ could not completely replace the IJ, and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) assumed the role of an alternative.

At the beginning of the Cold War, the International Press Institute (IPI) emerged, created by editors and publishers of Western newspapers, regardless of the country. In 1951, IPI was established in Paris, representing the point of view of the West and maintaining relations with the MOJ and the IFJ. Created by the invitation of the Finnish Association, the 3rd Congress of the MOJ in Helsinki in 1950 brought together delegates from 30 countries and amended the charter of the organization to take into account the conditions of the Cold War and the goals of supporting peace and freedom of the press. The journalists, numbering about 50,000 people, sought to expand their geographical activities by remaining active during the Cold War and maintaining headquarters in Prague, Czechoslovakia.

Conclusions

The scientific article presents an analysis of the history of the creation and development of the International Organization of Journalists (IAU). The authors pay special attention to the reasons and prerequisites underlying the emergence of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), and also expand the focus on the creation of the IFJ of Allied or Free Countries (IFJAFC) in 1941.

The study draws attention to the circumstances that led to the establishment of the University in the post-war period. Special attention is paid to the influence of geopolitical factors on the formation and development of the organization. The consideration of the reasons for the split of the MOJ includes differentiated approaches and strategies adopted by various participating countries, in particular, in the context of the professional activities of journalists. The analysis of the consequences of the split reveals its impact on press freedom and international cooperation during the Cold War, giving these results high significance in the context of the dynamics and evolution of international organizations of journalists. The results of this study can serve as a valuable contribution to understanding complex political conflicts and the evolution of journalists' organizations.

The main conclusion of this study is the understanding that currently non-governmental international organizations formed on the principles of professionalism are changing and becoming similar to political organizations, which in turn can lead to a split in these organizations and the termination of their existence. After Russia launched a special military operation in February 2022, the unions of journalists of Finland, Norway, Denmark and Iceland announced their intention to leave IFJ due to the presence of the national Union of Journalists of the Russian Federation in it. The ultimatum on the "Russian issue" was delivered due to the opening of regional offices in the Donetsk People's Republic (recognized by the Russian Federation), Luhansk People's Republic (recognized by the Russian Federation), Kherson and Zaporizhia regions (in territories that the applicants do not recognize as Russian). And in February 2023, despite the fact that the organization claims that it is not connected with politics, but is exclusively engaged in protecting the rights of journalists, the IFJ froze the membership of the Russian Federation in the organization. It will be possible to return to the issue of Russia's return to work as part of the International Federation of Journalists only in 2026, if necessary.

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