International Press Corps
Today, humanity grapples with a reality which is best characterised as a steep plunge into information overdrive. The media surrounds us, nourishes us and penetrates our schematic processing more than we could ever possibly measure, with traditional reporting forms like newspapers, news channels and radios going toe-to-toe with a scattering of more bite-sized, instant reporting methods like social media outlets, informative video platforms and e-mail newsletters. There’s never been a time like this - where we’ve been able to access information with such scale, so quickly, and with such ease. The role of the press, therefore, has become even more essential and pronounced than it ever has been.
A weapon of understated command and impact, the noble Press Corps stretches itself out to be a multifaceted, complex bridge between those in power, and those impacted. The world turns and shifts based off the decisions of a relatively small smattering of powerful people, and the value that the Press Corps offers is comprehension and, more importantly, questioning. Without it, there’s no hard-hitting questions, no medium to demand change, no real switch in the way the world works. It’s no wonder that historically, as soon as governmental authorities have wanted absolute control, the first organ that they shut down is the mighty Press and its branches.
But alas, news agencies are seldom without bias. Political prejudice and bigotry has too-often penetrated the mechanisms of the Press and corrupted the ‘backbone of democracy’. Its job to inform, criticise and stimulate debate can be hindered by surrendering to pay-offs, censorship and sensationalism. Delegates of the IPC, in this committee, we expect you to represent the viewpoint of your allocation with utmost reverence, no matter what unforeseen corner our whirlwind debate in committee might turn. Notwithstanding, while our fundamental expectation is for you to uphold closely all principles of your publication, collaborating with other journalists, especially those with which you can form impressively strategic alliances, will also fare well for you. The stage is set: delegates, will you dare to tread dangerously and report the truth, or succumb to falsification and fabricate?
Letter from the Director
Dear Delegates,
It is my distinct honour and privilege to welcome you to the mighty force that is the International Press Corps at the 28th Annual Session of Cathedral Model United Nations. Have your pens poised and your senses sharpened, because if there’s one thing this conference can promise to offer to you, it’s a pace of evolution and dynamicity that will test the boundaries of your journalistic limits in a way like no other.
The media shapes the world. There’s no two ways about it. Democratic participation hinges upon the establishment and sustenance of a free and healthy media: one that’s pluralist, impartial and given free reins to demand. The media is an incredibly obliging instrument in the facilitation and nourishment of political discussions in the public sphere; without it, democracy would crumble and sink, as the public, the key stakeholders of political changes, would fail to receive and understand the information they need to form opinions and take hold of their future. If I had to narrowly frame the three crucial jobs that the Press must engender to fulfil its functional role in society, and which I hope to see mirrored in you over this special weekend in August, they would be to inform, stimulate and question.
First and foremost, delegates, it is your primary job to make sure that you are informing lucidly, truthfully and earnestly, whether it is reporting or summarising recent events in our own committee, or writing an expository piece about one of the committees you visit. Our role of informing is one that cannot be moulded or minimised in any situation, because we yield unblemished power in the often-rigid formation of public opinion. We are simultaneously the voice of the powerful and powerless, a communication channel which must open wide enough to allow differing perspectives to thrive, evolve and debate.
We must, secondly, stimulate discussion and write in a manner that captures not just the reader’s momentary attention, but makes our words burrow cleanly into their consciousness for long after our articles have escaped their fleeting skims. Propelling thought and discussion is how we get people to care about what happens around them – an irreplicable duty that I expect you to uphold closely at CMUN. Your writing must be captivating enough to stimulate debate around whatever you might want to highlight in whichever committee you visit, and within the four walls of the Press Committee.
And lastly, what are we if not a body of scrutiny? Who else can so freely question the (often questionable) decisions of the people that we place high up – who keeps them in line, running brutal fact-checks, policy-checks and claim-checks to ensure that the public is getting what was promised to them? Our roles as critiques and disseminators often intersect at a glorious junction known as influence, and as an institution, we should pride ourselves on our responsible exposure and commendation of authorities, when needed. What are the questions that aren’t being asked? What are the alliances that go unchallenged? Look for the things that delegates aren’t saying, rather than just what they are in their lengthy, ornamental speeches. Dig up all you can in your respective committees and be tough in your line of questioning; after all, you are the ones who make the world talk.
Another belief that has been central to my credo as a writer for years now has been that the Press’ mechanisms, be it print, television, the internet or more, are the most effective vessels of change that this world has to offer. While venality, corruption and sensationalism can sometimes colour the beating heart of the Press, with a few bent journalists or publications overstepping the line of opinion and expression to transgress into propagandistic or falsified discharge from higher authorities, impotence is not something that the Press can be accused of. As I’m sure will be evident to you at the conference, when it comes to international relations, this change-making by the Press is particularly pronounced, and at CMUN 2024, delegates, you have a glittering opportunity to make a real difference. The choice, however, is yours. Will you fall prey to journalistic prejudice, or emerge through the wrecked vale of the currently biased global media as a flare of honour and truth?
I’ll now briefly spare you the journalistic tirade to yap a bit about myself. My name is Sana Lamba, and I’m a year 12 IB student. Going off my actual inability to ever stick to a word count, including this letter, you can probably guess that one of my biggest passions in life is writing. Apart from it, I’d say my largest interest is music, so for the sake of a productive committee, do not bring up anything about singing, jazz, performing or songwriting because I will literally not shut up. I also love reading (everything from Woolf to Wattpad), international relations, art, history and fashion. In fact, if it were up to me, I’d have a section of the CMUN rubric dedicated to pulling up in a Pinterest-worthy fit, but I don’t think my Sec Gen would appreciate that very much. This is my final CMUN, and I’m inexplicably proud to be your director this year. I hope to transfer the love of writing, journalism and debate to you the way that all my directors have, to me, before me, because truly, this conference is an experience that can have a profound impact on you if you digest it at the level of prestige and excellence it embodies. Welcome to the ranks – write fiercely, truthfully and purposefully, and I can guarantee that you will reach stellar places! Please feel free to reach out to us at ipc.cmun2024@gmail.com.
Until August,
Sana Lamba,
Director,
The International Press Corps, CMUN 2024.
Sana Lamba
Director