Reporters Without Borders announces that Jean-François Julliard will stand down as its secretary-general on 31 January. The organization’s board of governors is currently looking for a replacement. Olivier Basille, Reporters Without Borders’ representative in Brussels, will be acting head of the organization until a successor is appointed.

Reporters Without Borders president Dominique Gerbaud said: “The staff and board of governors thank Jean-François for helping to consolidate our position as one of the world’s leading press freedom organizations. His dedication and skills have clearly been major factors in Reporters Without Borders’ success during these past three years.”

Julliard said: “I am leaving Reporters Without Borders at a time when it is in good shape. I have been pleased with what we have achieved recently. The development of our cyber-censorship unit and our repositioning as a press freedom NGO in both France and Europe have been important changes for our organization.

“We have just opened a bureau in Tunisia for the first time and we are soon going to reinforce our activities in Libya. I hope that this development at the international level will continue. Reporters Without Borders will have more exciting challenges to face.”

After studying cinema, broadcasting and journalism, Julliard joined Reporters Without Borders as head of its Africa desk in 1998. He became head of research in 2004 and was appointed secretary-general in 2008. He was reelected for another five-year term as secretary-general in December 2010.

Julliard will take over as director-general of Greenpeace France on 1 February 2012.