International Press Delegation

• About the Committee

The International Press was established in the year 1948 in the UN, and it has always strived to bring out the truth to the people. The Press has its own stand in providing factual and enlightening information, which frees people from ignorance thereby functioning as an investigative and versatile form of communication for the masses. The International Press endeavors in promoting awareness and to wake up the consciousness of the human mind to the reality and authenticity about the events occurring in the world. It works tirelessly and with diligence in providing the truth, disclosing and elucidating on the debate among the delegates of the notable committee. The most important function is that it acts a watchdog, and keeps the decision makers in line, and holds them answerable and responsible for any kind of actions taken. Thus the International Press, with the collaboration of reporters, and photographers has always been an unconventional way of information, knowledge, realism, and a humane approach. The International Press has always followed the path of truth and certainty, because of which it is verifiable and reliable. It has remained strong in its stance, and even brought out the dilemmas and conspiracies in the public realm. Through the support of various modes of communication, co-operation, and elucidation, the delegates of International Press act in a liberated and unconventional way with authorization to cover up all attributes and features of the MUN conference.

• Forms of Media

There are many different types of media, but they can be divided into two categories: textual and visual. Textual media refers to formats that only include written text. Except for informal opinion articles, which reporters can employ to write whittier, funny, and innovative pieces, they normally don’t have much room for comedy and are primarily formal. Articles and interviews are examples of textual media. Visual media is more appealing, eye-catching, and artistic than other types of media. They incorporate the use of as little text as possible and as much imagery as possible. They are, however, more difficult to portray because the reporter must transmit the message clearly for easy interpretation. Illustrations, pictures, films, and visual graphics are examples of visual media.

• Textual Media

Digital media such as social media, blogs, visual graphics, television channels, and so on, as well as classic print media such as books, newspapers, and so on, are all examples of modern media forms. Reporters will have the ability to provide content in such modern formats this year. Delegates from the international press should be able to provide a variety of written content, including news stories, opinion pieces on committee debates, interviews, and casual articles. For a reporter, getting basic facts and information wrong can be dangerous, so comprehending the circumstances and the problems being debated in the committee is critical. If a reporter is unable to do so, he or she should approach the dais with a letter requesting explanation. However, the reporter must be present in the committee for the entire session or for an hour or two, depending on the content he or she wishes to publish, in order to acquire detailed and accurate information about the committee procedures. A refined and quality piece will be free of factual inaccuracies and assumptions, will include quotes and interviews, and will be a unique work. The types of textual content that can be presented in the International Press are as follows.

-News Pieces

The most prevalent form of reporting is news articles. They are fact-based articles that state crucial details regarding a committee’s procedures, some background information, and information about the committee’s agenda. Remember that every piece must meet a certain level of accuracy. Reporters should take care to get the facts straight, and if in question, they should seek clarification from the delegate or the Executive Board mentioned. The majority of the writing for the newsletter will be news reporting, based on the Reporters’ observations of debates, caucuses, resolutions, press releases, and interviews during the numerous RDIAS MUN committee simulations.

-Opinion Pieces

The reporter’s viewpoint on a topic is usually expressed in opinion pieces. An excellent opinion piece contains a compelling idea as well as a set of equally compelling justifications. Because the facts and views offered in an opinion piece are judged, reporters must carefully consider the case they will make and how it will be presented in order to engage a larger audience. After they’ve finished reporting from the council, reporters can contribute Op-Eds for the newsletter, which may include their thoughts on the agenda. Editorials or op-eds do not need to include details about what happened in the council/committee; instead, they should focus on the author’s thoughts on the topic at hand. The quality of editorials and op-eds must be extremely good.

Writing and expression, as well as publication, will be at the Editorial Board’s discretion. Editorials and Op-Eds, to put it plainly, differ from news pieces in terms of substance rather than events.

-Interviews

Another typical approach of acquiring information and presenting data is through interviews. During breaks or lobbying sessions, reporters may question delegates or even the Executive Board. Inside the committee room, reporters are not permitted to conduct interviews. The reporter can send a message to the individual who will be questioned and conduct the interview outside if he or she so desires. The number of questions should be kept to a bare minimum while still being significant. Reporters must also keep in mind that innovation is an important component of excellent journalism. Interviews should not be limited to committee delegates, but should also include members of the Executive Board and the Secretariat.

Interviews can cover a wide range of topics, including overall conference sentiment, expectations, committee proceedings, and even amusing, interactive quizzes. Reporters, on the other hand, should never ask an interviewee anything that is disrespectful or makes them feel uncomfortable. The interviewee has the right to refuse to answer any question and should never be forced to do so under any circumstances.

• Visual Media

Journalists can cover committee meetings with visual content, such as images, films, and visual graphics, in addition to written content. Visual material is strongly supported by journalists since it is an unconventional, appealing, modern, and creative manner of reporting. The essential reporting criteria apply here as well, just as they do in textual media.

-Photography

Reporters now have the option of taking images in addition to typical text reporting. Throughout the committee session, photographs of the events and the delegates are permitted. Photojournalism, on the other hand, should not be treated lightly, and a few basic guidelines should be followed. The delegates’ images should be candid and informal, as well as professional in nature. A delegate raising a placard, discussion of the resolution, and informal discussion among delegates are all examples of good committee photography.

The subjects of the photographs should not be staring directly into the camera, or else the photos would appear staged. Journalists may take photographs to accompany their articles or to publish them as a separate piece. The formal structure of photography as well as its storytelling value will be considered while judging it. Journalists must carry their own cameras as well as any necessary cables for photo transfer. RDIAS MUN is not liable for any missing or damaged items.

• Research Methodology

You can use the following guidelines for effective research. You must be adequately prepared to understand the debate.

1. Go through the backgrounds for basic understanding of the agenda and then the documents and links it mentions. The background guide can be obtained from the website of the conference.
2. Read about the agenda and various perspectives on it. Aid and form an opinion.
3. Understanding the legal, social, cultural and economic implications of the debate.

• Requirements of Reporters

1. The time for submission of the materials will be announced as the INTERNATIONAL PRESS session begins.
2. The word limit for all articles for the newsletter is 150-200. Do not exceed or it will cause a problem in the layout.
3. Submit all your articles in Times New Roman and in font size 14.
4. Delegates are to bring their own laptops, pen drives, and other electronic devices needed.
5. Delegates are to be in charge of their own possessions.
6. Committee allotments will be given beforehand and delegates have to adhere by the given schedule.
7. Apart from the materials required, a press delegate has to also do editing work.

• Code of conduct

The International Press Committee is a unique committee with its own set of qualities. As a result, certain laws and regulations are only applicable to International Press delegates in order to ensure good functioning and uniformity in the conference and committee:

1. Reporters are expected to be respectful and polite to every delegate, staff member, and conference executive.
2. At times, reporters may not be permitted to enter committee rooms. The International Press delegates are to follow the rules set by the Executive Boards of respective committees, and no violation of them will be tolerated.
3. Reporters are advised to carry an active cell phone at all times.
4. No act of plagiarism of material from any online, tangible, or literary source will be tolerated.
5. Do not indulge in any form of reporting which has your personal likes or dislikes for a person/country/religion.
6. Do not write any reports without adequate knowledge; make sure your reports are accurate.
7. Select an interviewee who you think is smart and witty, or informative, or someone who has something important to say. One can interview delegates as well as EB Members.
8. Proof-read articles before submission so that they are well written, with no grammatical errors. This will make the work of editors a little less burdened.
9. One has to be in the character of a reporter and should not deviate from the truth.

• Tips for Reporters
  

1. Research is something that is plainly required for a MUN, yet it is also something that is frequently overlooked. The more study you do, the more confidence you will have in all of the committees, not just the International Press. Reporters must be aware of what is going on in the committee about which they are writing a story; else, they would sit blankly and waste their time. In the case of your own committee, active participation is highly valued, and for that reason, one should conduct extensive research.
2. When reporting from the beats, it is extremely advised that reporters take notes on what is said in committee. While a recording device is useful, it is preferable for the reporters to write down the events on paper because the sound may or may not be accurately recorded in this situation. For an interview, however, it is preferable to use a recording device.
3. Nobody enjoys reading papers with long, complicated vocabulary and long, perplexing sentences. Reporters should maintain the wording of their stories straightforward and professional, both formal and informal. It is forbidden to use slang, acronyms, or unsuitable language. Reporters should keep in mind that they are covering a formal event.
4. Accuracy is crucial. Reporters should take care to spell the names and quote the delegates correctly, get the facts right, and avoid grammatical errors.
5. Only opinion pieces based on the reporter’s personal viewpoints are permitted. The reporter should avoid expressing his or her own views in other types of articles. In interviews, the reporter may express reservations and pose questions to delegates, but he or she should never express personal opinion explicitly.
6. Reporters should try to avoid yes/no questions in interviews. Try to get as many detailed, opinionated, and comprehensive answers as possible.
7. Ensure that the headline is catchy and attracts immediate attention.
8. Make use of as many media platforms as possible to ensure maximum coverage.