Trade unions
The audiovisual sector and the print media of Mali remained without a union for a long time. Media actors used to manage their differences and defend their interests within associations such as the Union des Radiodiffusions et Télévisions Libres du Mali (Union of Free Radio and Televisions - URTEL) and the Maison de la Presse (House of Press).
The first trade union of audiovisual and print media workers emerged from the Syndicat National des Journalistes Reporters du Mali (Mali's National Syndicate of Reporters - SYJOR). It was created in 2013 with the mission to defend collective agreements, the moral and material interests of journalists, to guarantee their professionalism and the respect of ethics and deontology. The ultimate goal for the Malian press to increase its participation in the anchoring of democracy and in the perpetuation of peace.
In 2017 the Collectif Sauvons la Presse Privée (Save the Private Press Collective - CSP) was set up by about 30 directors of publications and since then it is involved in the relentless defence of journalists.
Although these trade union organisations have been created, few journalists have joined them as the majority prefer to be represented by organisations and associations such as the Organisation des Jeunes Journalistes Reporters du Mali (Young Reporters Organisation of Mali - OJRM), the Association des Jeunes Ressortissants de Sefeto (Association of Young Citizens of Sefeto - AJR) and the Union des Radios et Télévisions Libres du Mali (Union of Free Televisions and Radios of Mali).