A couple of weeks ago, the IFAJ Freedom of the Press Committee held an outstanding webinar on the role of journalists and communicators. Those roles can overlap in productive—or uncomfortable—ways.
To the credit of presenters Olivia Cooper, Pam Caraway, Rachel Martin, Alpha Ousmané Souare and moderator/organizer Micke Godtfredsen, the “Principles and Principals: Balancing the Role of the Journalist and the Communicator” webinar openly explored delicate issues, busted a few myths and highlighted the importance of professional development and mutual respect that will enhance success on all sides.
I couldn’t help but think of how that “Principles and Principals” webinar summed up so many aspects of IFAJ’s present and future. After all, most of our guilds’ members are either journalists or communicators, and we exist to provide opportunities for people from all parts of the industry to learn from each other.
Professional development is at the heart of what we do, and we work year after year to create ever-better opportunities for members to learn and polish their skills. This webinar is the latest in a long series of learning opportunities that are available free, 24/7, to members on the IFAJ website. Though we can all get sick of Zoom and Teams, there’s tremendous power in being able to share insight and conversation with colleagues all over the world, right on their computers or smartphones. Zoom helps us bring more IFAJ to more people.
In the coming year, we’re taking professional development to the next stage: watch for a university-level education course on agricultural journalism, complete with the opportunity to earn a university certificate.
We also heard from Alpha Ousmane Souaré of Guinea about threats to press freedom in his country. IFAJ takes a firm stand on press freedom. No, our letters and guild support won’t kick down any doors and release imprisoned journalists, or take the padlocks off of the doors of shut-down newsrooms. Not by themselves, anyway. But our statements show the suppressors of press freedom that the world is watching, and they help make a case for the unimpeded flow of good information that helps farmers sustain themselves, their families, their communities and the world.
The “Principles and Principals” webinar came within a week of two other outstanding webinars, the launch of a series of educational sessions sponsored by Syngenta. As a partner, Syngenta has admirably demonstrated the principles outlined in the Press Freedom webinar—an atmosphere of respect, of providing journalists with the information they need and leaving behind advertisements and commercial messaging.
We have enjoyed similar relationships with long-time partner Alltech as well as new partners in 2024, including the U.S. Soybean Export Council, CropLife International and Alliance Tire. Each of our partners understands journalists’ interest in stories to bring home to eager audiences. Each of them demonstrates respect for journalists that reflects communications at its most skilled and effective.
With supportive partners and the boundless energy of volunteers who believe in IFAJ’s mission, we work every day to make membership in guilds and our federation more valuable and productive. It’s an absolute joy to end the year on a note that so beautifully demonstrates the theory and the practice—the principles and principals—behind IFAJ.
We’ve got a great year behind us and more opportunities awaiting us in 2025. As we head into the new year, my best wishes—however you celebrate the season—for health, hope and peace.
Steve Werblow
IFAJ President