@innercitypress once #funca gets some questions sorted out in NY, perhaps it could look at denial of access to UN system in the field.
— Laura Gil (@Lauraggils) December 29, 2012
The answer is yes.
As as simply one example, FUNCA is backing up its member in Hargeisa, Somaliland, on the jailing for one and two years of other journalists there. Another new member from the region says he’s joining “To secure the freedom of access to information of the United Nations.”
Subject: UNCA and Morales
From: <____.de>
Date: Wed, Feb 20, 2013 at 6:32 PM
To: funca [at] funca.info
I have to tell you today, that UNCA’s behavior at President Morales’ press conference today is a scandal and an embarrassment for the press corps and the UN! I was shocked to see how that lady in seat 1A refused to let the microphone go, almost like kids fighting for a ball. A disgusting performance watched by the whole world!
I truly hope you will succeed in convincing the UN that times have changed and the childish attitude of some UNCA reporters is a shame! How low to refuse a visiting head of state allow the first question to a reporter of his choice !
UNCA is holding the UN hostage. I trust opposition to this situation will grow stronger and sooner or later the UN will have to recognize that their partner is the PRESS and not UNCA !
I was shocked witnessing how that UNCA lady was fighting for the microphone and disregarding the will of President Morales.
You can pass on this my email to whom it may concern at the UN [and beyond, done.]
Best regards
“S.D.” Munich Germany
[Click here to see theUNCA fiasco, video here from Minute 4:55]
FUNCA – Free United Nations Coalition for Access – questions how the United Nations can make UNCA, which represents less than 225 of the 2500 journalists accredited to to the UN each year, a formal party to the UN’s Media Access Guidelines.
There is a range of accreditation issues on which the UN must do better, and on which it the UN has not been pressed of late. And so we ask: How does the UN decide whom to accredit, and whom to review? See, http://www.nyclu.org/news/nyclu-requests-review-of-uns-process-accrediting-journalists
Contact us if you’ve been denied access to the UN, or see things that could work better : funca [at] funca.info