Article 1

The Journalist Support Committee Association is a non-profit association under article 60 and the subsequent articles of the Swiss Civil Code; it is neutral politically, and non-denominational.

Article 2

The headquarters of the association is in Geneva. The Association shall be of unlimited duration.

Article 3

The Association shall pursue the following aims:

1. to protect and strengthen the rights and freedoms of journalists, and media workers;
2. to defend freedom of press, radio, television and social media;
3. to campaign for the right to seek, access and receive information through any media platforms;
4. to promote professional standards of journalism, ethics of journalism, and diversity in journalism;
5. to promote the safety of journalists, and to take a stand against all forms of violence on media professionals;
6. to collaborate with other organisations to promote democratic and independent journalism, foster ties, and cultural understanding;
7. to advance the education, skills, and competence of people engaged in all forms of journalistic work at all levels of media and across all platforms of media
8. to support and assistance journalists and their families when they are in need; 
9. to establish and maintain close relations with relevant international, government and non-government organisations in furtherance of these objectives;
10. to reward and honour outstanding members periodically.

Article 4

The Association's resources are derived from:

1. donations and legacies.
2. sponsorship.
3. public subsides.
4. membership fees.
5. any other resources authorised by the law. 

The funds shall be used in accordance with the above objective.

Article 5

Membership in the association is open to professional journalists and journalists' associations, as groups or in their individual capacities, members of non-profit, non-governmental organisations, as groups or in their individual capacities, and any natural or legal person may become a member if they are committed to the aims of the Association.

The Association comprises of:

1. founding members.
2. Executive Committee members.
3. active members.
4. honorary members.  

Founding members, Executive Committee members, and honorary members are exempted from paying membership fees.
Requests to become a member must be addressed to the Committee. The Committee admits new members and informs the General Assembly accordingly.
The Executive Committee defines the preconditions to become an honorary member and appoints new honorary members.

Members have the following rights:

1. participation at the General Assembly;
2. possible election as a member of the Executive Committee;
3. reduced participation fee for the conferences, seminar, and regional events;
4. receive quarterly membership newsletter, featuring news, interviews, campaigning updates and in-depth articles about journalism laws and ethics;
5. using the Association’s logo in their activities. 

Membership ceases:

1. on death;
2. by written resignation thereby notifying the Committee at least six months before the end of the financial year;
3. by exclusion ordered by the Committee, for just cause, with a right of appeal to the General Assembly. Appeals must be lodged within 30 days of the Committee's decision being notified;
4. for non-payment of dues for more than one year. 

In all cases, the membership fee for the current year remains due. Members who have resigned or who are excluded have no rights to any part of the Association’s assets. Only the Association's assets may be used for obligations/commitments contracted in its name. Members have no personal liability.

Article 6

The Association shall include the following organs:

1. The General Assembly; 
2. The Executive Committee;
3. The Auditor;

Article 7

The General Assembly is the Association's supreme authority. It is composed of all the members.
The General Assembly shall be held in a yearly ordinary meeting. Extraordinary meetings can be held whenever necessary, at the request of the Executive Committee or at least of one-fifth of the members of the Association.
The General Assembly can be held via physical meeting or via circular resolution.
In the case of a physical meeting, the General Assembly shall be considered valid regardless of the number of members present.
In case of a physical meeting, the Executive Committee shall inform the members in writing via physical mail or email of the date of the General Assembly at least six weeks in advance. The notification, including the proposed agenda, shall be sent to each member at least 10 days prior to the date of the meeting.
In case of a circular resolution, the Executive Committee can inform the members via email about the proposed resolution and give a deadline of at least seven calendar days to reply. The Executive Committee can ask for a reply via email, fax or electronic poll.
If the information of the members happens via email, such information is considered to be received if the email has been sent to the email address announced by the members of the Association.

Article 8

The General Assembly:

1. takes note of the admission of members and decides appeals against exclusions of members ordered by the Executive Committee;
2. appoints the members of the Executive Committee and elects the President;
3. notes the contents of the reports and financial statements for the year and votes on their adoption;
4. takes note of and approves the reports and accounts of the current exercise and elects an auditor.
5. approves the annual budget;
6. supervises the activity of other organs, which it may dismiss, stating the grounds therefore;
7. appoints an auditor for the Association's accounts;
8. decides on any modification of statutes;
9. decides on the dissolution of the Association;
10. fixes the membership fees.

   
Article 9

The General Assembly is presided over by the President of the Association.

Article 10

In case of physical meetings, decisions of the General Assembly are taken by a majority vote of the members present. Non-present members can delegate their voting rights via written power of attorney to another member present. In case of deadlock, the President shall have the casting vote.
Decisions concerning the amendment of the Statutes and the dissolution of the Association must be approved by a two-third majority of the members present.
In case of circular resolutions, decisions of the General Assembly are taken by a majority of 90% of all members of the Association.

Article 11

In case of physical meetings, votes are by a show of hands. Voting can also take place by secret ballot if at least ten members request it.  

Article 12

The agenda of the ordinary annual session of the General Assembly must include:

1. approval of the Minutes of the previous General Assembly
2. the Executive Committee’s annual Activity Report
3. the report of the Auditor
4. the setting of membership fees
5. approval of the budget
6. approval of reports and accounts
7. election of Executive Committee members and Auditor
8. miscellaneous business

Article 13

The Executive Committee is authorized to carry out all acts that further the purposes of the Association. It has the most extensive powers to manage the Association's day-to-day affairs.

Article 14

The Executive Committee is composed of at least three members elected by the General Assembly. Each member's term of office shall last for one year and be renewable.
The Executive Committee constitutes itself, except for the President who is elected by the General Assembly.
The Executive Committee can establish Subcommittees to deal with certain tasks. Members of the Subcommittees don’t have to belong to the Executive Committee. The Subcommittees report to the Executive Committee and have no executive power.

Article 15

The Executive Committee meets as often as the Association's business requires.
Executive Committee meetings can be held via physical meeting or via circular resolution.
In case of a physical meeting, the President shall inform the Executive Committee members in writing via physical mail or email of the date of the Executive Committee Meeting and send the proposed agenda at least one week in advance. Executive Committee decisions shall be considered valid if at least 50% of the Executive Committee members are present and are taken by a majority vote of the members present. Non-present members cannot delegate their voting rights. In case of deadlock, the President shall have the casting vote.
In case of a circular resolution, the President can inform the members via email about the proposed resolution and give a deadline of at least seven calendar days to reply. The President can ask for a reply via email or fax. Executive Committee decisions are valid with the consent of every member of the Executive Committee.

Article 16

The Executive Committee members work on a volunteer basis and as such can only be reimbursed for their actual expenses and travel costs. For activities beyond the usual function, each Executive Committee member is eligible for appropriate compensation.

Article 17

The functions of the Executive Committee are:

1. to take appropriate measures to achieve the goals of the Association;
2. to appoint the Secretary;
3. to convene the ordinary and extraordinary General Assemblies;
4. to take decisions with regard to admission of new members as well as the resignation and possible expulsion of members;
5. to ensure that Statutes are applied, to draft rules of procedure, and to administer the assets of the Association.

Article 18

The Secretary supports the Executive Committee fulfilling its statutory obligations.

Article 19
The Auditor audits the Association's accounts every year and makes a report to the General Assembly. The Auditor’s terms of office shall last for one year and be renewable.

Article 20
The Association is legally bound by two members of the Executive Committee or by the Secretary.

Article 21
The financial year shall begin on 1 January and end on 31 December of each year. 

The Treasure is responsible for the Association’s finances. The General Assembly shall appoint an Auditor who will be auditing the Association’s accounts every year.

Article 22

Should the Association be dissolved, the available assets should be transferred to a non-profit organization pursuing public interest goals similar to those of the Association. and likewise benefiting from tax exemption. Under no circumstances should the assets be returned to the founders or members. Nor should they use a part or a total of assets for their own benefit.

The present Statutes have been approved by the Constituent General Assembly of 10 November 2016, in Beirut, Lebanon.