INTERNATIONAL PRESS CORPS

STUDY GUIDE
LMCMUN’24
 Contents

Executive Board’s Address 3

Introduction to Committee 4

Agenda 6

Whistleblowing Incidents 8

Relevant Press-Related Issues 10

Paperwork Required 13

News Agencies 15

Rules & Regulations 23

Code of Conduct 24
 Executive Board’s Address

Greetings, Delegates!

As members of the International Press Corps, what is expected of you is Ars Poetica, and a
zeal for the absolute, unadulterated truth. Perhaps, the most common phenomenon you will
witness, as part of this committee, is your Executive Board’s emphasis on the “quest for
truth”, our commitment to uncovering a story to its roots and depths. Contained within three
days of committee, will be productive discussions, shocking revelations, rapid developments,
and unflinching, efficient reporting.

The agenda at hand is of utmost relevance, as the notion of a free Press is increasingly
threatened in contemporary times, marked by rampant crackdowns on the media.
Whistleblowing is inevitably, inescapably connected to Journalism. It is a mechanism which
upholds transparency and ensures accountability, in public interest - in a society steeped in
corruption and injustice. Globally acknowledged and applauded news agencies have
incorporated whistleblower-protection frameworks. Dedicated organisations have cropped
up to assist whistleblowers in matters of anonymity and legalities. Thus, we gather to discuss
the intricacies within these fields, draw informed inferences and produce constructive
solutions.

As members of the Press, you are expected to adhere to strict decorum, and utilise your
position as a correspondent of the IPC - to question all that you observe and hear. When
reporting in another committee, we expect thorough, attentive coverage of proceedings, as
well as innovative presentation of all the material that is gathered. We await creative and
original written work, enthusiastic participation in committee, and quick-witted, well-
composed debate: a true testament to the International Press Corps’ ideals. Any indulgence
in plagiarism and AI tools, will result in severe penalization.

We look forward to three productive, yet chaotic days of committee, where all our attention
will be focused on proving right the known saying, “The pen is mightier than the sword.”

Onto the power of the pen, Delegates!

The Executive Board,

International Press Corps,
La Martiniere Calcutta Model United Nations 2024,
presscorps24@gmail.com
 Introduction to Committee

The International Press Corps has two factions:

i) Debating on and providing solutions to a relevant agenda, discussing relevant phenomena
and issues which pose obstructions to Journalism
ii) Reporting on and covering proceedings in all committees of LMCMUN’24, and produce
the gathered information via formal paperwork and appealing, creative presentation

The Press Corps provides its correspondents a platform which facilitates public debate and
discussions, trying to solve issues like yellow journalism, censorship, brutality against the
Press, and so on and so forth. The Press Corps is a body which strives to question
unchecked power and abuse of authority, attempting to guarantee that decisions are taken
solely in public interest. Foreign policy and international relations are significantly shaped
by media coverage of world affairs, which affects public opinion and diplomatic ties. Media
provides important perspectives on current affairs. It is a tool that the masses utilise, to stay
informed.

Any and all news agencies have had a repute at some point, of creating turmoil, leading to
the spread of misinformation or exaggerated news. Delegates are to research the various
news agencies in committee, whilst trying to understand and interpret their policies and their
nature, based on the incidents of the past.

One of the primary functions of the Press Corps is to inform the public about current
events, government actions, policy decisions, and global affairs. Through accurate and
timely reporting, the Press Corps empowers individuals to make informed decisions,
participate in civic life, and hold their elected officials accountable.

A free and independent press is essential for the functioning of democracy. The Press Corps
acts as a watchdog, scrutinising the actions of government officials, exposing corruption,
and ensuring transparency in governance. By providing checks and balances on power, the
press helps safeguard democratic principles. It further provides a platform for public debate
and discussion on an array of issues, including whistleblowing (an integral part of our
agenda).

Through investigative journalism and in-depth reporting, the Press Corps holds individuals
and institutions accountable for their actions. Whether it's uncovering corporate
malfeasance, exposing human rights abuses, or shedding light on government misconduct,
the press plays a crucial role in promoting accountability and justice. We challenge covert
misdeeds and advocate for openness and transparent government practices.
The Press Corps also tries to detect the difference between state sponsorship and state
control in the media, as media bias on the basis of various political leanings and ideologies
have created chaos in the council in the past.

Such is the dynamic nature of the International Press Corps where delegates engage in
article writing and verbal debates, allowing them to experience the agenda under fire with
even more clarity and passion.

NOTE: The position papers are to be submitted by 11th May, 2024 on the official committee
email ID. No position papers submitted post the mentioned deadline will be accepted.
 Agenda

Discussing journalistic sources in the context of national security, with special emphasis on
whistleblower incidents

The above agenda includes key terms which should be studied individually to gain a deeper
understanding of the crisis at hand. These terms include the following:

Journalistic Source: Refers to any person, organisation, document, or object that provides
information to journalists. These sources play a crucial role in news reporting and
storytelling. Note the different kinds of sources:

Human Sources: These include individuals who provide information directly to

journalists. Examples include eyewitnesses, experts, government officials, and
spokespersons for organisations.
Documentary Sources: These are written or recorded materials, including court filings,
press releases, official documents, and reports published by interest groups.
User-Generated Content (UGC): With the rise of social media, ordinary citizens
contribute to news by sharing photos, videos, and firsthand accounts of events. This
exchange takes place via Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and other social media
platforms.

National Security: It may be defined as ‘the ability of a state to cater for the protection and
defence of its citizenry’.

Whistleblowers: This term refers to an individual or a group of individuals who partake in

leaking or covertly distributing classified information about a private company or public
organisation. This act is considered illegal, illicit and immoral in many parts of the world.
Typically, there are two types of whistleblowing:

Internal – People who report to someone inside the company or organisation, to ensure
that the flaws are corrected
External – Cases where grave occurrences, serious wrongdoings urge the whistleblowers
to report to external sources like the media, exposing the entity

Given the global scenario today, the existence of whistleblowers is essential. They help keep
a check on the powers of those who hold positions of authority, and hold the top brass
accountable.

However, whistleblowers may also pose a great threat to national security. Plans of military
action and surveillance, when revealed by whistleblowers, can easily threaten the security of a
country. The revelation of the Pentagon Papers by Daniel Ellsberg in 1967, which contained the
details of the US army’s strategy during the Vietnam war, could have affected state affairs and
security, if it had been untimely released.

Sources are invaluable for professionals working in a field as high-risk as Journalism. When your
responsibility is to keep a global audience informed, and alert, you are expected to be accurate and
provide information with concrete proof.

Consider the case of the Watergate Scandal: information implicating the President of USA in a
federal crime was published online, his phone-calls were leaked online, easily accessible to the
public. In an investigation launched by any stable, functioning government, one of the primary
steps in the process would be to track down the leak, the source of tapes that are so exclusive; and
that is what it boils down to. Thus, the matter of national security is threatened, establishing the
importance of journalistic sources.

This leads us to discuss questions and create possible moderated caucus topics. Discussions can take
place on the impending battle as to how news correspondents/delegates might maintain a balance
between utilising journalistic sources while actively avoiding any interference in matters of national
security.
 Whistleblowing Incidents

I. WikiLeaks Crisis

In December 2006, WikiLeaks, a whistleblowing website, published its first news-piece,

conveying a Somali rebel’s message in support of hired gunmen who are tasked with
executing government officials.

The standard operating procedures for the American military's detention facility at
Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, were exposed on the WikiLeaks website in November 2007. Due
to legalities imposed by the USA, 2008 saw the temporary closure of the primary home
website, whilst the site's mirrors in Belgium, Germany and the Christmas Islands remained
operational.

A plethora of documents—nearly half a million—pertaining to the US conflicts in

Afghanistan and Iraq were released by WikiLeaks in 2010. President Barack Obama's
administration condemned the leaks as a threat to American national security. The website
also published a 2007 video, captured by the gun camera of a U.S. assault helicopter,
depicting twelve people—including two Reuters employees—being killed. About 250,000
confidential diplomatic cables between the U.S. State Department and its global embassies
were made public by WikiLeaks in November of 2010. These records exposed covert
American initiatives to isolate Iran politically and economically, mostly in reaction to Iran's
ambitions in nuclear weaponry development.

The innovator behind the creation of WikiLeaks, Julian Assange, joined forces with Army
intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning, in early March 2010. He assisted her with obtaining
an administrative password to the military's high-security internet system. It would estrange
investigators from Manning's identity as the source of the revelations on the website.

II. Snowden Leaks

Computer specialist and former CIA systems administrator, Edward Snowden unfurled to
the public the existence of government surveillance programmes, by disclosing classified
government documents. His acts were in violation of the 1917 Espionage Act, which
classified the disclosure of state secrets as an act of treason.

The National Security Agency was reportedly gathering "metadata" on Verizon Wireless
customers' phone conversations, including call duration, location, and other details -
according to a June, 2013 article published by The Guardian. The news would never have
surfaced without the leaks because the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Court
proceedings and decisions are all conducted in complete secrecy.
A court had confidentially ruled in favour of the National Security Agency's breach of
privacy.

The Boundless Informant programme examined the call data to identify call record trends
and identify potential terrorist activity. The Obama administration defended the
programme, claiming that it solely chased foreign threats and a stringent permit was
mandatory for domestic use.

Snowden maintained that his actions were fuelled by morality, and a sense of duty to bring
to light, the injustice being done and the active harm being caused to U.S. citizens and the
public at large. With no consideration of the legalities, he believed it necessary that the
government be held accountable before the public, for its blatant invasion of privacy.

III. Watergate Scandal

After breaking into the Democratic Party's national headquarters at the Watergate Hotel
complex in Washington, D.C., in June 1972, five burglars were taken into custody after
preliminary investigation.

Mark Felt, an American whistle-blower, exposed US president Richard Nixon and his
administration’s involvement in the break-in. Despite incessant reports to the contrary,
Nixon and his associates adamantly denied that any administration official had been
actively involved. Nixon was re-elected in November 1972. Judge John Sirica presided over
the trial in January 1973, where two of the accused were convicted by a jury.

Nixon's involvement in the Watergate cover-up was brought to light by tapes that the White
House provided on August 5, 1974, in compliance with a Supreme Court ruling. It linked
Nixon to the crime Though most journalists had shifted focus, Bob Woodward and Carl
Bernstein of the Washington Post continued to cover the Watergate Scandal for a
considerable amount of time. Ben Bradlee, their executive editor, and Katharine Graham,
the publisher, provided immense, unflinching support.

All the President's Men was published in June 1974, a collaborative effort between
Woodward and Bernstein, detailing the Watergate incident elaborately. Later, they would
write The Final Days, a sequel to All the President's Men. For its consistent coverage during
the time of crisis, The Washington Post won the Pulitzer Prize in 1973. of hampering the
inquiry. Nixon resigned from office on August 8, 1974.
 Relevant Press-Related Issues

I. Biased Journalism

Although the main goal of the press is to be unbiased, there are intrinsic – often intentional
– leanings that remain. This may occur on various levels, right from the nuances in a
particular event-coverage, to the type and nature of articles an agency chooses to publish.
The nature of articles of a news agency primarily depends on where that agencies’ ideology
lies on the political spectrum. News agencies may be neutral—a rare occurrence in today’s
world—or have a political lean, namely left-wing or right-wing. This bias may be subtle, or
agencies may explicitly align themselves with political parties or certain ideologies.
Highlighting and even glorifying positive stories from a specific party while downplaying
their faults is a noticeable phenomenon in many news agencies.

There may also be deliberate tampering of information, where crucial information of an

event is tweaked to serve a news agency’s purpose. Information may not be included at all in
order to prevent the truth from being exposed. While circumstances may arise where this
step becomes necessary for security purposes, it is rarely so.

Bias may also arise from the personal beliefs of journalists. Their prejudices influence their
words and how they choose to interpret events. For instance, the Iraq War coverage
between 2003 and 2011, saw a number of media sources being accused of producing biased
stories, propagating the political objectives of the nations that were involved. Certain news
outlets faced backlash for mindlessly giving spotlight to the Bush administration's
justification for the invasion, while others were condemned for their unjust scrutiny and near
anti-war stance.

II. Censorship

In today's journalistic landscape, censorship is a prevailing issue, posing grave obstacles to

dissemination of information and press-freedom. Media outlets are repressed by
governments or authoritarian administrations. The same curbs dissenting voices and
opposing viewpoints, thus snatching away any semblance of accountability amongst
authorities. This censorship takes many forms, including government-imposed restrictions,
legal threats, financial pressure, and self-censorship by media organisations.

The term "censor" has its roots in ancient Rome in 443 BC. Roman notions of good
administration included moulding the character of the populace, much as they did in ancient
Grecian communities. Thus, censorship was seen as a noble endeavour. The first censorship
laws were created in China more than 1,700 years ago, and they continue to be an integral
part of Chinese society to this day. Recent statistics state that approximately 57% of the
universal population resides in nations with extremely severe internet censorship.

A significant percentage of the 456 writers and journalists who were jailed or imprisoned for
their writing in 2018, was the result of censorship. A significant portion of the 387 journalist
detentions reported by Reporters Without Borders in 2020—a 12% rise from the year before
—were due to censorship initiatives.

Censorship is rampant in democracies, through covert tactics including corporate influence,

editorial prejudice, and pressure from special interest groups. Monopoly of a mainstream,
popular media-houses, further reinforces this isolation of accurate information, and blind
rewriting of narratives by manipulative regimes.

By suppressing free flow of ideas, dissenting opinions, and an exchange of information

which is necessary for an informed electorate, censorship weakens democracy. Controlling
the information flow allows governments to mould and influence public opinion.
Unchecked abuse of power, thus remains in the dark, unpunished, eroding all morality in
the absence of a free Press. Injustices such as corruption and violation of human rights go
unnoticed in such circumstances.

III. Sensationalism

Commercialism, which occurs when news organisations exaggerate some aspects of a story
to generate readership—typically by fabricating information and compromising facts—is
the root cause of sensationalism. As it grows more and more commercialised, the media is
evolving from an institution that aims to preserve the truth to a profit-driven enterprise that
is only interested in what will boost reading, viewing, and ratings. Sensationalism is a key
component that propels the agenda forward. It is characterised by exaggerated headlines,
clickbait, dazzling visuals, and deliberate distortion of facts.

Sensationalist media uses frightening images, dramatic video editing, and suspenseful music
to elevate everyday stories. This can mislead and confuse listeners, forcing them to focus on
the wrong aspect of a tale. Sensationalizing suicide, terrorism, and sexual assault incidents
for media attention, offends the victims of these tragedies, putting forth an inconsiderate,
apathetic stance. Sensationalism in the media highlights society's lack of integrity and our
tendency to succumb to unrealistic claims.

Critics argue that various news stations prioritise sensationalism above veracity. They may
concentrate on sensationalist aspects of a news article to attract viewers' attention. Emotive
or graphic elements may be prioritised above the story's context or ramifications.
Sensationalism may erode journalism's credibility and promote disinformation or misleading
narratives.

Sensationalism, perhaps the most noticeable feature of yellow journalism, is indicative

rather of its character than of its purpose. Much has been said in recent years concerning the
phenomenon of sensational journalism. Recent criticism, for the most part, has fixated on
just one aspect of sensational journalism — its bad taste and vulgarising influence on its
readers. Sensationalized reporting may prioritise shock value over accuracy, leading to
misinformation and public distrust. In the end, the challenge lies in ensuring that
transparency is upheld, for the immense need to protect national security would always
remain. While whistleblowers play a crucial role in exposing unknown realms, their actions
must be guided by an understanding of the possible consequences of their revelations. Only
then can we find a path through the complex terrain where whistleblowers and
sensationalism intersect without compromising the safety and security of our nations
worldwide.

In conclusion, it is worthy of note, that the above listed phenomena are only a fraction of
the complex field that is Journalism, and when navigating through the alleys of media and
Press, one is faced with varied obstacles. The list is long and multifaceted, and so is the
agenda at hand.
 Paperwork Required

I. Position Paper [Deadline: 11th May, 2024]

Members of the International Press Corps will be reporting the happenings of the various
committees at LMCMUN 2024. Delegates will be required to send a Position Paper
comprising of:
a. The history of your news channel, and its role in the modern news network.
b. The position of your news channel in the agenda of your allotted committees.

II. Beat Article

Beat Articles focus on the coverage of specific topics rather than the agenda in its entirety; a
specialised coverage of specific areas or topics. Reporters are expected to submit a beat
article on the first day of committee proceedings covering a particular discussion in the
committee (a particular moderated caucus, or a delegate’s speech, for example).
a. It should be objective and unbiased, and cannot contain the opinion that the reporter
holds.
b. It is essential that this article be accurate and to the point.
c. It may contain direct quotes by delegates or statistical data.
d. Word limit is 300 - 500.

III. Opinionated-Editorial

An Op-Ed is a reflection piece, allowing authors to use their own insight and offer facts that
align with their ideas on crucial problems. The author provides a critical examination of a
scenario with personal political biases, prompting readers to reflect more. Op-Eds can be
controversial. Delegates are to write an Op-Ed at the end of Day 1. Although subjective in
nature, an Op-Ed should not comprise baseless arguments and should be concise.
Word limit: 350

IV. Feature Article

Journalism welcomes creativity and hence delegates are expected to get crafty while writing
their feature article. They are given absolute freedom, where they can choose to report any
form of news, information, proceedings, or the agenda in a creative manner. One might
write a story, or decide to write a poem, or submit a doodle or artwork. We also expect no
delegate to indulge in yellow journalism and keep the piece of art they create based on true
happenings. The political slant of the journalists' news agency portfolio will be irrelevant
here, and they will be free to create the item in their own image. No templates are
mandatory here.

V. Interview Article

Delegates are suggested to interview a fellow delegate of their allotted committee in a verbal
manner, or through the usage of chits. The same is to be articulated and submitted to the
Executive Board by Day 3 of LMCMUN’24.

Delegates are suggested to narrow down and extensively conduct research on a single “idea”
or topic that they want to interview a delegate on. Following this, they must develop
questions regarding the same. An interview article can be written in 3 ways:
a. Literal: In this article reporters simply write down the questions and the answers given by
the delegate who is interviewed.
b. Hybrid: In this the reporter writes down what the delegate said in third person, drawing
in conclusions whenever required; but it must include verbatim quotations from the
delegates as well.
c. This can be a video report as well, wherein, a written transcript of the interview will be
sent, with a video or a short clip attached, of the delegate being interviewed/making a
remark.

VI. Press-Conference Report

During a specific time-slot, all IPC Delegates will be allowed to officially question the
delegates of their allotted committees in the Press Conference. This event will be presided
over by the Executive Board of the Press Corps, and reporters will be expected to use their
time judiciously to ask questions to the various delegates of their committees and finally
produce a Press Conference Report for the same. They need to be well researched regarding
their respective committee’s agendas. The report should contain the IPC-Delegate’s
questions, and the answers received from the Reporting-Committee’s Delegate.

VII. Communiques

May include multimedia, with videos, handwritten scripts, vernacular languages, voice-
recordings, images, etc. The word Count is unrestrained. We look forward to as many
Communiques as the Delegate wishes to submit, within the duration that communication
lines are open.

Paperwork samples: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1PUiJPUPfQ1kPecfKtVdSc1P_-

bEG2-mg?usp=sharing
 News Agencies

1. Middle Eastern News Agency

On December 15, 1955, the Middle East News Agency was founded as a joint stock
corporation with a meagre capital, controlled by Egyptian press companies. The Egyptian
Cabinet decided to create the agency on February 8, 1956, and on February 28, it started
sending out its first bulletin. Along with other journalistic organisations, MENA was
nationalised in 1960 and became a part of the Ministry of Information. MENA joined the
Shura (consultative) Council as a national press entity in 1978.

2. Kyodo News

Domei News Agency—the parent company of Kyodo News—was established as the official
news agency of the Japanese government. With its headquarters located in Hibiya, Tokyo's
Chiyoda Ward, Kyodo News Agency was established as a nonprofit organisation after the
state-owned Domei News Agency was dissolved at the end of World War II.

3. Associated Press of Pakistan

Associated Press of Pakistan has been, since 1947, delivering consistent news to the public.
Following the tenets outlined in its charter, the Associated Press of Pakistan strives to
deliver accurate information, to a vast number of viewers, in the shortest amount of time.
The content from the regular APP news service is available in both Urdu and English.
Additionally, it offers translation services in Arabic, Pashto, Balochi, Sindhi, Saraiki,
Chinese, and Brahvi.

4. News24
Media24, the top media firm in South Africa, owns News24. Its ventures include digital
media and services, print and digital book publishing, newspapers, magazines, e-commerce,
and distribution.

5. The Australian

The largest selling broadcast newspaper in Australia, the Australian is known for its editorial
stance, and has been the nation's most reliable source of news, insight, analysis, and opinion for
more than 50 years. Over 16 million Australians are reached each month by the network through
print and digital media.

6. The Times of India

Being one of the most widely circulated English-language daily newspapers in India, ToI,
since its establishment in 1838, has become an important source of news and information for
millions of readers across the country. During the colonial era, The Times of India played a
vital role in advocating for Indian interests and challenging British colonial policies. Its
commitment to independent journalism and public service has earned it a respected position
in India's media landscape.

7. The Guardian

Founded in 1831, the Guardian is a British daily newspaper that is widely read and
respected for its thorough reporting. A unique aspect of this agency is that a trust, known as
the Scott Trust Limited, was established to ensure the paper's editorial and financial
independence. Due to this, The Guardian could maintain its journalistic integrity, and it is
committed to presenting a range of perspectives and opinions in its coverage.
8. New York Times

The New York Times is an utterly prestigious newspaper. Founded in 1851, it has established
a reputation for rigorous reporting and exceptional writing. The New York Times has long
been regarded within the industry as a national "newspaper of record". This is due to its
reputation for providing comprehensive coverage of significant events, in addition to its
investigative journalism.

9. Xinhua News Agency

This prominent Chinese news agency, headquartered in Beijing, has been the official press
organisation of the Chinese government since 1931. The Xinhua News Agency is one of the
largest and most prominent news agencies in China. Its coverage of national and
international news is widely circulated and trusted by millions of Chinese citizens, but the
agency's reach also extends beyond China, with its news stories often being picked up by
other media outlets around the world.

10. Al Jazeera

Al-Jazeera is a Qatari network which, although independent, is owned by the state of Qatar.
It is one of the most prestigious entities in the crowd of news broadcasters. Al-Jazeera is
considered one of the main representatives of the diminished voices of the global Arab
community, because of its transparent coverage of events in the region.

11. Reuters

Reuters is an international news agency that has been in operation for over 170 years. It is
widely regarded as one of the largest sources of news in the world, with a reputation for
providing objective reporting. Reuters has also been recognized for its commitment to
accuracy and impartiality in reporting, with a strong reputation for fact-checking and
verification.
12. British Broadcasting Corporation

The British Broadcasting Corporation is, as its name suggests, is from Britain and is also the
world’s oldest national broadcasting organisation. It broadcasts current affairs within the
United Kingdom and from around the world. It is paid for and owned by the British public.

13. Washington Post

The Washington Post is a daily American newspaper that was founded in 1877. It has a long
and storied history of investigative journalism. Eugene Meyer, who purchased The
Washington Post in 1933, outlined the newspaper's goals in a set of guiding principles. These
days, they serve as a reminder of the value of accurate, independent journalism.

14. Agence France Presse

Being the third largest news agency in the world, Agence France-Presse is a Paris based news
agency and known to be trustworthy and centred. This reputation is maintained with the
help of strict guidelines for its journalists to avoid any potential conflicts of interest or bias
in their reporting.

15. TASS

TASS is a 120 year-old newspaper, which was first established on September 1, 1904, as the
St. Petersburg Telegraph Agency. TASS provides a comprehensive account of daily events,
in six languages along with roughly 700 images and videos from correspondents in Russia
and throughout the globe. More than 2.7 million different kinds of content were made
available on all TASS platforms in 2023.

16. Associated Press

The Associated Press, or AP, is a non-profit news agency based in the United States. Founded in
1846, it is one of the largest news organisations in the world, providing news and information to
thousands of media outlets around the globe.
17. CNN

Cable News Network is a popular American news channel launched in 1980, and was the
first channel to provide 24-hour news coverage. It has since become a household name with
a global reach, with a focus on providing news from around the world. CNN's slogan "The
Most Trusted Name in News" speaks to its reputation as a reliable news source.

18. Deutsche Welle

Deutsche Welle is a German public international broadcaster that was founded in 1953 and
provides news and information in multiple languages to audiences around the world. It is
known for its objective and impartial reporting. As a public broadcaster, it is mandated to
provide news and information that is fair, balanced, and free from any political bias or
influence.

19. Haaretz

Haaretz is a prominent Israeli newspaper that is published daily in both Hebrew and
English. The newspaper was founded in 1919 in Jerusalem, prior to the establishment of the
State of Israel, and has since become an important source of news and information for
readers in Israel and around the world. Its editorial stance often challenges the political and
social status quo in Israel, and has a reputation for its independent reporting and analysis
of events.

20. South China Morning Post

On November 6, 1903, the South China Morning Post began distribution in Hong Kong.
In its early years, the publication would struggle to stay afloat amid financial challenges.
The business was in financial distress and was in severe debt. It took until 1913 to declare a
profit.
21. ZeHabesha

ZeHabesha is an online news and media platform that covers news and analysis related to
Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa. Established in 2014, it has since become a popular source
of news and information for Ethiopians both inside and outside of the country. It provides a
wide range of news coverage, including politics, business, culture, sports, and social issues.

22. El Pais

This Spanish-language daily newspaper published in Madrid is one of the largest and most
influential newspapers in Spain. It is acknowledged for its objective, factual, independent
and critical journalism by Spanish readers and beyond

23. Yemen Times

Yemen Times, the country's first English-language newspaper, was founded in 1990. The
inaugural edition was released on February 27, 1991. Prof. Abdulaziz Al-Saqqaf, the
founder and chief editor, was awarded the NY Press Club International Award in 1995 for
his coverage of the 1994 civil war. Today, it is a "national institution", which "encourages
citizens to take responsibility for the past, present, and future".

24. Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamic Republic News Agency, or IRNA, is run by the Iranian Ministry of Culture and
Islamic Guidance and is funded by the government. The Foreign Ministry of Iran
founded IRNA in 1934 as the official national news agency. The organisation was
previously known as Pars Agency. The Iranian news agency gradually grew and the
agency's news outlets were further expanded to countries throughout the world.
 25. Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Bangladesh's official, national news agency, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), was
established on January 1, 1972. BSS started out small with only one bureau in Chittagong and
the head office in Dhaka. Today, it has bureaus in Rajshahi, Rangpur, Bagura, Khulna,
Barishal, Rangamati, and Sylhet. The organisation works tirelessly to provide news on politics,
economy, development, the nation, the world, and other topics.

26. Le Monde

Le Monde is a well-respected French newspaper that is based in Paris and has been published
daily since 1944. It has faced economic challenges recently which have led to a decline in its
circulation and revenue, and so Le Monde has had to adapt and change its business model to
remain competitive in a rapidly changing media landscape. Despite these setbacks, however,
Le Monde remains a highly respected and influential newspaper in France and beyond.

27. Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata

ANSA has been gathering, producing, and disseminating news and in-depth analysis using a
range of techniques and across all transmission platforms since 1945. Their values are
"Independence, Rapidness, Completeness, Reliability," as stated on their website.
28. Yonhap News

Yonhap News was launched in 1980. After a legislation governing news agency promotion
was passed in 2003, Yonhap News was named the nation's representative news agency.
Today, it is the top news agency in South Korea. With over 600 journalists, it is committed
to fair and impartial journalism. Yonhap reporters operate around the clock, 365 days a
year, over a wide network both domestically and overseas, covering diverse topics, including
sports, culture, politics, business, and social issues.

29. Wall Street Journal

While being the most widely circulated newspaper in America, the Wall Street Journal is also
globally acclaimed. It was founded in 1889, and has since been oriented towards business and
finance related news and issues.

30. Bakhtar News Agency

The official state news agency of the Afghan government is Bakhtar News Agency, which is
situated in Kabul. The organisation provides information to outlets and gathers news from
both domestic and foreign sources, making it a major news source for all of Afghanistan's
media. The publication is offered in Pashto, English, and Dari.
 Rules & Regulations

Originality: The main aspect of any press article is its originality. We expect all reporters
to bring forward original work and give due credit to sites if they are quoting any. That
being said, all submitted articles will be thoroughly checked for plagiarism, and if found
reporters will be penalised.

Abbreviations: Use of approved and conventional abbreviations is permitted and

encouraged. If the reporter is unsure of whether an abbreviation is permitted or not,
they are to define it at the start of their reports.

Capitalization: When using abbreviations all words should be capitalised. Furthermore,

when writing the names of countries, news agencies or individuals, proper capitalization
is to be maintained.

Currency: Formal abbreviations of currency are to be used at all times. For example, the
United States Dollar is to be written as USD while Indian Rupees as INR, and not
Rupees.

Format of Reports/Articles: Your article must be structured with a recognisable

introduction, body and conclusion. It must also include a title and a by-line (in italics).
Witty titles and by-lines are a crucial part of the format, and will be marked.

Font: All articles must be written in size 12, Times New Roman font.

Articles and all required submissions are to be named in the following manner:
Allotment_CommitteeName_Day.docx
Note: No pdf files will be accepted and articles are to be written only in word format.

Delegates are to be referred according to their allotment and not original names.

Avoid the usage of contractions, such as can't, don’t, and wouldn’t.

 Code of Conduct

1. As with any other committee, the Press Corps is a distinguished body and its members are
expected to practise what they preach, which is inclusivity, diplomacy, courtesy and unity.
Reporters must be respectful at all times towards every delegate, teacher, and member of the
Executive Board. The spirit of competitiveness should not come in the way of teamwork,
and it is important to remember that there is a fine line between asserting one’s opinion and
purposefully offending one’s opposition.

2. When the committee commences, every delegate is expected to come fully prepared with
thorough research on the agenda at hand, their agency’s stance, and a lot of smaller details.
No internet access will be permitted during the conference, and so reliance upon last
minute-research will only result in stress and inadequate preparation. It is also a given that
when assigned a specific agency with its own prerequisites, no delegate can debate from
their own personal bias, and instead must incorporate their agency’s perspective when
debating.

3. Plagiarism is the easiest way to be subjected to negative marking. The IPC, just like the
Press agencies of the real world, has a strict plagiarism policy, and any violation of it will be
heavily condemned. To avoid this, it is crucial to understand the research material at hand
and be able to translate it in your own words, so as to maintain originality and leave room
for creativity.

4. Misinformation is ostensibly a sure-fire sign of half-hearted work, and it blatantly goes

against the essence of IPC itself. Make sure you can back up your research with real facts
and quotations, since false or exaggerated information will be penalized.

5. Disruption in committee by a delegate, if it is not urgently necessary, contradicts the code

of conduct. If a reporter needs to streamline communication with another person, they must
wait till a lobbying session or break to do so, or utilise communication via notes.