Current challenges of the section of photojournalists at АЈМ

Disregarding copyrights and illegal downloading of photos, “unfair competition” by civil servants in the role of photojournalists, difficult access to work on events of public interest, and solidarity as a prerequisite for joint action were some of the topics of the working meeting. On the initiative of the representatives of the Section of photojournalists at АЈМ, a constructive meeting was held today with the presence of the majority of professional photojournalists from the country, where several conclusions were reached for future actions.

The president of AJM, Chadikovski, greeted the attendees and said: “It is extremely important at such meetings to share the problems and challenges you photojournalists face face to face.” In many segments, you share the same problems as journalists and other media workers. The work and activities of this section contribute to detecting and looking for ways to overcome the professional challenges faced by people from this sector, who are considered strong professionals. It is necessary to continue with the solidarity approach and togetherness in the work of both you photojournalists and journalists as a prerequisite for the advancement of professionalism”.

The photojournalists pointed out that they face several challenges and suggested that an institutional approach is needed to improve the conditions and practical pressure in the context of intensive meetings with the responsible persons who plan and organize the events on behalf of public institutions. Apart from this, the attendees emphasized the need for additional promotion of the rights of photojournalists and the fact that their author’s work should be respected and appreciated both by the media and by the institutions.

In his address, photojournalist Robert Atanasovski stressed the importance of such meetings because in this way problems can be shared, as well as offer common solutions with which we could try to change some things in a positive direction with a solidarity approach.

The training initiative aimed at improving the safety of photojournalists and professional ethics was welcomed. As a result of the successful cooperation so far, the publication was discussed – the manual for monitoring high-risk events, which presents international standards and procedures that are applied when photojournalists report high-risk events.

Photojournalist Petr Stojanovski pointed out to the audience that this is an excellent opportunity to discuss important topics that directly affect photojournalists, and how to take a positive step in the direction of ensuring normal conditions for the smooth work of photojournalists when covering various events or protests.

Colleagues Atanasovski and Stojanovski were chosen as coordinators for the future activities of the section, who, together with the executive office of AJM, will organize the activities of the section of photojournalists at AJM in the future.