Haffajee elected to International Press Institute board

Ferial Haffajee

"I am very excited about the new members," says IPI executive director, Alison Bethel McKenzie. "They represent the best in their field and bring a wide breadth of experience to the media."

Global network

IPI is a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists dedicated to the protection of press freedom, the promotion of the free flow of news and information, and the improvement of the practices of journalism.

IPI chairman, professor Carl-Eugen Eberle, says it's important that board members are elected not only with regard to their media skills but also to their geographical distribution. "That increases the IPI's ability to fight for press freedom wherever necessary around the world."

Members in more than 120 countries

IPI was formed in October 1950 by 34 leading editors from 15 countries on the belief that an independent and professional media would contribute to the development of a more just, free society governed by the rule of law. Today IPI has members in more than 120 countries and holds consultative status with the United Nations and the Council of Europe.

Haffajee was also recently named in the top 10 of Memeburn's list of the 50 most prominent and influential South African journalists on Twitter. She was appointed editor of City Press two years ago and has overseen a completed redesign of the newspaper including the recent launch of its new magazine insert, iMagazine.