Journalists demand resignation of ‘incapable’ syndicate leaders
The journalists insisted a new preparatory committee be established.
The group threatened various methods of intimidation unless their demand is met, calling on the rest of the journalists to join them.
Syndicate members issued a statement Sunday calling current leadership incapable of holding such responsibilities. They called the syndicate a “burden on journalists” that usually achieves no goals.
The statement reviewed the main reasons for why journalists are demanding the resignations. The statement said the syndicate is stalling to defend journalists liable to violations in the course of the past period.
Saeed Thabit, deputy head of the syndicate, said the journalists have the right to call for leadership elections; however, elections should be based on the stipulations and orders of the syndicate.
He said the Syndicate General Assembly is compromised of 1,500 journalists and any ten or even thirty journalists can express their views.
A six-month period remains prior to the end of the current term.
The syndicate committee violations
Journalist Mansour Al-Jaradi said it is acceptable for journalists to demand the resignation of the committee, deeming it a positive step to re-activate its work.
He said the syndicate committee violates many rules. Bad regulation of syndicate meetings is a perfect example, he said.
“The syndicate committee members have not regularly assembled in the course of the past two years. Others have not attended meetings for a year.”
He said the syndicate plays a positive role despite downsides, asserting that it has defended the journalists’ freedoms and provided them with health support and Umra services.
Effective syndicate
Journalist Marib Al-Ward said that the Journalists’ Syndicate is professional leading syndicate that provides equal care for its affiliates. She said the syndicate is strong enough to face intellectual and political divisions among members.
According to Al-Eard, the syndicate is a clear strong voice, able to stand by any one of its affiliates subject to breaches. The syndicate’s refusal of recent verdicts issued by the Journalism Court is a case in point, he said.
He said it’s important to preserve this professional institution because it is like a house where journalists meet. Al-Ward concluded that journalists must stick up for their syndicate, and anyone with suggestions or objections can present them to the committee without resorting to tactics.
pletcheretd 13.03.2013 at 13:34
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