Belgian Journalist Philippe Leruth elected as IFJ President
Delegates of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) meeting at the 29th World Congress in Angers elected Philippe Leruth, member of the Belgian Association Générale des Journalistes Professionnels de Belgique (AGJPB) as president of their organization on 9 June 2016.
Journalist at the daily L’Avenir, Philippe Leruth was vice-president of the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), the European organisation of the IFJ, from 2004 to 2013, and AGJPB president from 1995 to 2005. He is taking over from departing British President, Jim Boumelha, who headed the IFJ from 2007 to 2016.
“The first challenge is to restore IFJ unity” said the newly elected president. “I wish to restore the solidarity links within the IFJ. My second challenge is to reinforce the financial situation of the IFJ”.
IFJ delegates also elected Moroccan Younes M’Jahed (SNPM) as senior vice-president, and Jim Boumelha (NUJ) as honorary treasurer. The other newly elected members of the IFJ Administrative Committee, as vice-presidents, are the Indian candidate Sabina Inderjit (IJU) and the German candidate Joachim Kreibich (DJU in ver.di). The remaining elected European advisors are: Paco Audije (Spain), Raffaelle Lorusso (Italy), Jonas Nordling (Sweden), Dominique Pradalié (France) and Timur Shafir (Russia).
Congratulations Philippe Leruth @phillochar the new President of International Federation of Journalists. Unity is his aim, it's much needed
— Aidan White (@aidanpwhite) June 10, 2016
The IFJ Congress is organized from 7 to 10 June at the Center of Congress in the French city of Angers. It has enabled delegates to discuss a variety of topics including youth in the media and in the unions, journalists’ safety across the world, changes affecting the profession, repressive laws adopted throughout the world and unions’ role in the fight for press freedom.
Visit the IFJ Congress´page 
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(Credit Photo : AJP)
