Journalists in South Africa have joined forces to found the Professional Journalists' Association. The group will promote media freedom and protect journalists working in "an increasingly threatened media landscape" in the country.

ProJourn is the first organisation to formally represent journalists in the country since the demise of the old South African Union of Journalists, which disbanded three years ago.

According to the group's draft constitution, which is being sent out to journalists, media academics and trainers in South Africa, the organisation will act as a forum for debate about industry issues and as a lobbying force on issues of free speech and journalistic freedom.

"While several trade unions do represent journalists' interests, none represent their professional concerns directly," Foster Dongozi, president of the regional Southern African Journalists’ Association, told attendees at ProJourn's official launch event at the weekend.

The association has appointed Samantha Perry, editor of South Africa's Brainstorm Magazine, as general-secretary.

"The founding of this association is a very significant event for the media as a whole," said Perry at the launch.

"The voice of working journalists desperately needs to be heard on issues such media freedom which impacts both the media and society as a whole. This Association aims at doing just that."

Raymond Louw from South Africa's Freedom of Expression Institute and Maz du Preez, well-known for his work on the Afrikaans publication Vrye Weekblad (The Free Week) have been named as patrons.

Permanent appointments of six sectoral posts to represent radio, TV, newspapers, magazines, wire services and new media are next on the organisation's agenda.