Thread by @penaolli

Extremely curious development at the International Federation of Journalists. The Nordic members of the federation are potentially leaving the #IFJ due to #corruption risks/fears.

This story has been mostly noted by Finnish media, not internationally

1/

hs.fi/kulttuuri/art-…

There seems to be general and specific reasons behind the threats on leaving the federation:

❓ General lack of clarity/transparency of IFJ finance
❓ Collaboration with corrupt regimes, i.e. last years conference in Oman
❓ 2019 congress voting behaviour

2/

IFJ chair, Anthony Bellanger, responds that there's no evidence of any of this.

In the beginning of the year, the Finnish Journalists Union @Journ_liitto raised number of issues on their magazine about @IFJGlobal action.

3/

journalisti.fi/uutiset/2023/0…

While IFJ has some more recent more issues (i.e. Russian unions supporting the invasion of Ukraine), most of the issues are age old. The more ambitious ethics & transparency reforms pushed by the Nordics have been blocked since 2019 🚫

4/

journalisti.fi/artikkelit/201…

The Nordics seem to be very fed up. They demanded IFJ's vice chair Timur Shafir to be removed due to his support on the invasion of Ukraine.

In the meantime, the large Nordic unions have not been even included in the 21 member board of IFJ.

5/

sjf.se/aktuellt/20220…

It looks like #integrity issues are starting to shake also the trade union networks. It remains to be seen, how other trade unions will reflect on these developments.

IFJ representatives and at least some of the Nordics are due to meet next time in 27 Jan

EU journos following f.e. #emfa might be curious

@clothildegouj @gioleali @_MollyKilleen

@Journ_liitto @IFJGlobal One correction here though - Bellanger is general secretary of IFJ, not the chair