International Francophone Press Union

Infobox Organization
name = Union internationale de la presse francophone


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abbreviation = UPF
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formation = 1950
extinction =
type = INGO
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language = French
leader_title = President
leader_name = Alfred Dan Moussa
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The International Francophone Press Union ( _fr. Union internationale de la presse francophone, UPF) is a Francophone association of journalists. Founded in 1950, it is the world's oldest Francophone organisation,cite web
url = http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/article-imprim.php3?id_article=4288
title = Players and skills
accessdate = 2008-08-28
date = 2006-02-20
publisher = Ministère des Affaires étrangères et européennes ] and has more than 3,000 members in 110 countries.cite web
url = http://www.presse-francophone.org/uijplf/uijplf_presentation.htm
title = U.P.F.
accessdate = 2008-08-29
publisher = Union internationale de la presse francophone
language = French ]

History

The association was founded in 1950 in Limoges, France on the initiative of Canadian journalist Émile-Dostaler O'Leary, who served as the organisation's first president. [cite web
url = http://www.presse-francophone.org/uijplf/uijplf_histoire.htm
title = Histoire de l'Union internationale de la presse francophone
accessdate = 2008-08-29
publisher = Union internationale de la presse francophone
language = French ] It formally changed its name from "Union internationale des journalistes et de la presse de langue français" ( _en. International Union of French-language Journalists and Press) to "Union internationale de la presse francophone" on October 24, 2001, at its 33rd meeting in Beirut, Lebanon.

Activities

The UPF's aim is to advance cooperation between the Francophone media of the world. Although initially a venue for French-speaking journalists to convene, over time the UPF became a professional union. It is an international nongovernmental organisation recognised by the European Parliament, La Francophonie, and the United Nations, among others.

Prix de la libre expression

In 1991, the association (at the time still known as the UIJPLF), in cooperation with La Francophonie, created the "Prix de la libre expression" ( _en. Prize for Freedom of Expression).cite web
url = http://www.presse-francophone.org/uijplf/uijplf_libre_expression.htm
title = Prix de la libre expression
accessdate = 2008-08-29
publisher = Union internationale de la presse francophone
language = French ] The prize is awarded annually to journalists who remain objective despite harassment or persecution. Past recipients of the prize include Michel Auger (2000), "Le Rénovateur" (2003), and May Chidiac (2005).

Leadership

As of August 2008, Alfred Dan Moussa of Côte d'Ivoire is the president of the UPF. [cite news
first = Alexise Evelyne
last = Ouédraogo
title = Côte d`Ivoire: Lancement du prix Alfred Dan Moussa de la presse en ligne pour la paix et l’intégration africaine
url = http://www.gabonews.ga/actualite/actualites_2007.php?Article=4270
work = Gabonews.ga
date = 2008-08-12
accessdate = 2008-08-29
language = French ]

ee also

* Agence France-Presse

References

External links

* [http://www.presse-francophone.org/ Official website]