About EAJA

In September 2007, leaders of the journalists’ unions and associations met in Djibouti for two days to consider a constitution and a programme of work of the Eastern Africa Journalists Association (EAJA). Five Executive Committee members were elected and the meeting also decided to transfer the headquarters of EAJA to Djibouti.

The activities set out for the association focuses on freedom of expression, freedom of the press, working conditions of journalists, rights and interests of journalists, safety of journalists and other media workers, gender equality, good governance, socio-economic issues, peace, social justice, democracy and freedoms, and conflict resolution.

Vision

To recognise, expand and protect freedom of expression in Eastern African countries, as a basic human right and vital ingredient of democracy, which is key to good governance, economic, social and political development and to the fight against dictatorship, poverty, corruption and armed conflict, and as such crucial to the recognition of all the other rights described in International Human Rights Mechanisms.

Mission

The Eastern Africa Journalists Association fights for freedom of the press, improvement of working and living conditions of journalists and other media workers, recognition and application of trade union rights, democratic principles, conflict resolution, safety of journalists and other media workers, social justice and gender equality, and the fight for high journalism standards.

Aims and Objectives

  1. To preserve and promote freedom of expression, that includes freedom of the press, freedom of speech and freedom of opinion as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, and the Declaration of Principles of Freedom of Expression in Africa.
  2. To fight for human rights, peace, social justice, democracy and freedoms;
  3. To protect and promote the rights and interests of all working journalists and all other media employees;
  4. To improve the working conditions of all journalists and all other media workers;
  5. To promote the development and strength of the independent and democratic journalists’ trade unions and associations in the Eastern Africa region;
  6. To promote women journalists’ rights and gender equality by ensuring the full integration of women journalists in the journalists unions and associations;
  7. To preserve and advance professional excellence in journalism;
  8. To uphold high standards of journalistic education;
  9. To promote mutual cooperation between member organizations, and enhance international, regional and sub-regional cooperation in press freedom matters and trade union issues;

Motto: Freedom, Security and Democracy

Membership

The Eastern Africa Journalists Association has ten (10) affiliates in ten (10) countries, namely Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda, which are mostly affiliated to the International Federation of Journalists. The following unions and associations are members of EAJA:

  1. Association of Djibouti Journalists (ADJ)
  2. Ethiopia National Journalists Union (ENJU)
  3. Kenya Correspondents Association (KCA)
  4. National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ)
  5. Rwanda Journalists Union (RJU)
  6. Seychelles Press Association (SPA)
  7. Sudan Journalists Union (SJU)
  8. Tanzania Union of Journalists (TUJ)
  9. Uganda Journalists Union (UJU)
  10. Union Burundaise des Journalistes (UBJ)

Relationship with the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)

The Eastern Africa Journalists Association (EAJA) is the sub-regional group of the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), the regional organisation of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). The EAJA campaigns to preserve and promote freedom of expression and of the press, and to protect and promote the rights and interests of journalists and other media workers. It is autonomous in determining its policies and action regarding sub-regional matters, while also promoting the priorities and policies of the IFJ in its sub-region.

Core Values of EAJA

  1. Dedication and Endeavour for Human Rights, Peace, Social Justice, Democracy and Freedoms;
  2. Professionalism, Effectiveness, Creativity and Responsibility;
  3. Honesty, Integrity, Credibility, Transparency and Accountability;
  4. Unity, Solidarity, Inclusiveness, Respect and Tolerance;
  5. Justice, Equality and Democracy;

Executive Committee of EAJA

  1. Dr. Muheldin Ahmed Idriss "Titawi" – President
  2. Alexandre Niyungeko - Vice President
  3. Omar Faruk Osman – Secretary General
  4. Safari Gaspard – Treasurer
  5. Stephen Ouma Bwire – Advisor

Ms Lucy Ekadu, EAJA Regional Gender Coordinator

EAJA_Brochure.pdf

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