The FCJ's Mission Statement, states that the Forum's objective is: "To promote the interests of and nurture excellence in community journalism through a national programme of diversity, development and growth. We will strive to deepen our credibility among all sectors of South African society."
In this context, the meeting made the following decisions, among others:
The FCJ was set up 14 years ago as a sub-structure of the Community Press Association, to serve the interests of local journalists. In the last 18 months, there has been major restructuring within the CPA, sparked by the withdrawal of Caxton, Media 24 and Independent Newspapers. The CPA has metamorphosed into the Association of Independent Publishers of Southern Africa (AIPSA), which represents smaller, independent publishers.
The FCJ is setting itself up as an independent body representing community journalists from across the spectrum. The FCJ will thus draw its members from the big companies and the myriad of independent and emerging publications. The FCJ will continue drawing administrative support from Print Media South Africa. The FCJ's current strategic goals are to set up a new constitution and secure sufficient funding for its proper and dynamic functioning.
The current interim committee come from the following groups/newspapers: Cape Community Newspapers, Middelburg Observer, the Rekord, the Potchefstroom Herald, the Kathorus Mail, the Grocott's Mail, Big News, the Southern Globe (Lenasia), the Vryheid Herald (KZN), Ons Stad (Free State).
