The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), the regional group of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), representing about 260 000 journalists throughout Europe, expressed great concern about the announcement by the German news agency AP/ddp that it is to dismiss all its staff in Switzerland  and France. The ddp (Deutsche Depeschen Agentur) acquired its subsidiary AP in Switzerland only last December.

In an open letter to the Swiss management of AP/dpp, the EFJ protested against the dismissals of the journalists without any explanation nor notice. Together with its German affiliates , the DJV und dju in ver.di,  the EFJ supports its member unions in Switzerland, impressum and co-media in their request to start negotiations for a social programme for their  colleagues.

 
"While market pressures are a fact of life, we believe AP/dpp should remain in Switzerland and maintain quality journalism standards and pluralism which the news agency sector needs so much, "said EFJ President Arne König. "But first of all, management must take its social and professional responsibilities and negotiate with the unions."

The EFJ says this decision has a serious impact on the Swiss media landscape since it only leaves one serious press agency, which means there will be a news monopoly in the German speaking part in Switzerland.

French unions of journalists also condemned the conditions in which AP  was sold to DDP in December and 81 staff members out of 120 were made redundant. Only 16 journalists new positions will be created in the new structure, which makes a total of 65 job losses.

The EFJ is increasingly concerned about falling standards across European news agencies amid the acute crisis in the press agency sector and its impact on quality standards in all media which rely on press agency material.

For more information contact the EFJ at   +32 2 235 2215   

The EFJ represents over 250,000  journalists in over 30 European countries