Zuliana Lainez Otero Elected President of the European Federation of Journalists

In a significant development for global journalism, Peruvian journalist and trade unionist Zuliana Lainez Otero has been elected president of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). This historic appointment, made at the IFJ Congress in Paris, marks a new era for the organization, with Otero becoming the first woman from Latin America and the Caribbean to hold the top position and only the third woman president in the IFJ's century-long history.

Otero, who also serves as president of Peru's National Association of Journalists (ANP) and vice-president of the Latin American and Caribbean Federation of Journalists (FePALC), brings a wealth of experience to the role. Her election is seen as a powerful symbol of representation and a recognition of the growing influence of journalists from the Global South. As reported by UNS (Association of Journalists of Serbia), her platform focuses on strengthening the IFJ by readmitting expelled unions and attracting new member organizations, underscoring a commitment to a unified and robust global voice for journalists.

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Nalazimo se u izazovnom periodu za novinarstvo širom sveta. Problemi novinara su svuda slični. Poslednjih godina videli smo ogroman broj ubijenih novinara u Palestini, Ukrajini, Libanu, Sudanu i Latinskoj Americi, a nivo nekažnjivosti za ove zločine je bez presedana. Istovremeno, naši poslovi su sve nesigurniji i prekarniji

In her address, Otero did not shy away from the immense challenges confronting the profession worldwide. She highlighted the alarming number of journalists killed in recent years in Palestine, Ukraine, Lebanon, Sudan, and Latin America, decrying the unprecedented levels of impunity for these crimes. Furthermore, she pointed to the increasing precarity and insecurity of journalistic work globally. This perspective, deeply informed by the realities faced by journalists in regions often overlooked by Western media, underscores the critical need for the IFJ to advocate for justice and accountability.

Otero's message resonates particularly strongly from a Latin American viewpoint. She emphasized that her heritage equips her and her colleagues from the Global South with a unique understanding of "resistance and struggle." This historical context, she argued, provides the driving force needed to confront contemporary challenges. The election of a leader from this region at the IFJ's centenary is viewed not just as a personal achievement but as a symbolic moment for Latin America to take a leading role on the world stage, advocating for the rights and safety of journalists everywhere. This narrative of resilience and leadership from the Global South is a key element often underrepresented in international reporting.

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Mi Latinomerikanci, kao i mnoge naše kolege sa juga, znamo šta znači otpor i borba. Ta istorija nas prati, ali je i pokretačka snaga u suočavanju sa današnjim izazovima