NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS ON COVERAGE OF THE THIRTY-FOURTH SESSION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

Media accreditation

Media accreditations for the thirty-fourth session of the Human Rights Council are now officially open.

Important: journalists who attended previous sessions of the Human Rights Council must submit a new media accreditation request for the spring session. Journalists holding permanent accreditation at the United Nations in Geneva do not need to register; their current UN badge will be recognized to gain access to media activities.

New online media accreditation process

Media accreditation for the session of the Human Rights Council is strictly reserved for members of the press - print, photo, radio, TV, film, news agencies, and online media who represent a bona fide media organization.

All members of the press (except media already permanently accredited UN Geneva) are required to register online.

To complete the registration process, media representatives will be requested to upload:

1. A letter of assignment (PDF format) on official letterhead of a media organization, signed by the publisher, editor-in-chief or news director indicating the name and duration of assignment of the journalist(s) who will cover the Council
2. A copy of their press card or other proof of their press status
3. A copy of an identification document (i.e. passport or national identification with photo)
4. A photo of themselves (passport size)

Incomplete requests
Incomplete requests will not be processed. Confirmation of your accreditation will be sent to the e-mail provided.

Double accreditation
Double accreditation is not allowed (e.g. both as a journalist and as a delegate).

How to pick up your media accreditation
Once you receive an e-mail confirming that your request for accreditation has been approved, you can obtain your media press pass at the Palais des Nations Pregny Security Desk, starting at 8 a.m. on 27 February.

When picking up your media press pass, you will be asked to present:
1. A valid passport or national identification with photo from a State recognized by the United Nations General Assembly.
2. The QR code you will have received by e-mail after your media accreditation has been accepted.

Enquiries should be sent to: accreditation-media@unog.ch

Important: Accreditation will only be given on proof of a track record of reporting for media organizations on international affairs. Media accreditation is not accorded to the information outlets of non-governmental organizations. Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis and the decisions of the Department of Public Information are final. The Department of Public Information reserves the right to deny or withdraw accreditation of journalists from media organizations whose activities run counter to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, or who abuse the privileges so extended or put the accreditation to improper use or act in a way not consistent with the principles of the Organization.)

Entry procedures

All media personnel are advised to arrive early to allow sufficient time for screening. Last-minute arrivals may encounter delays.

1. Access to the United Nations premises in Geneva

A United Nations media badge will be needed. Only one type of badge will be issued to each media representative (no-NGO/Media or Delegation/Media co-badging).

2. Access to the meeting room

Media will have access to all public meetings within the limits of the room capacity. The plenary sessions will take place in Room XX. Media will be sitting in the press gallery on the left side of the room in spaces designated “PRESS”.

Media representatives will enter Room XX from the main door, and will be required to comply with the screening procedures which are applicable to all the participants in the session. Cameras and other audio-visual material will be subject to electronic screening.

PLEASE NOTE: These arrangements will be applicable also to the media representatives permanently accredited to the United Nations Office at Geneva.

3. Access to other facilities

All accredited journalists will have access to United Nations bars and cafeteria, and to the restaurant which is located on the 8th floor of the Palais des Nations.

Press conferences and interviews

The list and location of press conferences by Heads of State, Government or Delegation, or United Nations senior officials will be posted on the website: www.unog.ch/news

For general information about the HRC session and to arrange interviews contact:

Mr. Rolando Gómez
Public Information Officer for the Human Rights Council
telephone: +41 22 917 9711
email: rgomez@ohchr.org

Ms. Sarah Lubbersen
Public Information Officer for the Human Rights Council
telephone: +41 22 917 9689
email: slubbersen@ohchr.org

(plus website and social media)

Mr. Cédric Sapey
Public Information Officer for the Human Rights Council
telephone: +41 22 917 9751
email: csapey@ohchr.org

Background material

For information about the activities of the Human Rights Council session and other related media assistance, please contact Mr. Rolando Gómez (details above).

Radio

Radio studios for interviews and transmissions through ISDN lines may be booked on +41 22 917 1077 or +41 22 917 2566.

Audio distribution boxes are available in the press gallery.

Television

Only UNTV and one other television crew at a time may film on tripods in the centre of Room XX. Priority will be given to a television team from the same country as the speaker addressing the Council. Other crews may work from fixed positions at the back of the room and on the perimeter.

Audio plugs are available at the back of the room. The use of tripods may be restricted.

Crews are authorized to circulate in the room and film on the shoulder. This includes limited periods in the centre of the room and in the corridors. Filming on tripods in the corridors is not allowed. Filming of interviews and stand-ups is not allowed in the conference rooms.

Pool coverage may be arranged as needed.

Accredited cameramen and photographers who plan to cover the sessions should contact Mr. Michele Zaccheo, Chief of the Radio and Television Section, Information Service (+41 22 917 4606) or Mr. Gilles Sereni, Production Assistant (+41 22 917 4632 or +41 79 444 6041), email: untv@unog.ch

UN Television will provide coverage of statements in the High-Level Segment of the Council in file formats (requestors should check format availability) to interested television and documentary producers. Coverage requests should be made in writing, in advance. Coverage requests and bookings for television studio and transmission facilities should be sent to:

UN Television
Room E.4, Palais des Nations
CH 1211-Geneva 10
Switzerland
Fax: +41 22 917 0031
Email: untv@unog.ch

Photos

Photographers will work in areas on the floor designated by Information Service staff. Pool coverage may be arranged as needed. No flash equipment may be used. For further information, please contact Mr. Gilles Sereni (+41 22 917 4632 or +41 79 444 6041).

Photos of speakers in the High-Level Segment and some highlights of the session will be available at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/unisgeneva

Official website and social media

Information on all aspects of the Council can be found at the following website:

http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/RegularSessions/Session34/Pages/34RegularSession.aspx

The website will contain news, practical information and statements related to the meeting.

Information about the Council will also be regularly tweeted. You can follow the Human Rights Council on Twitter at

http://twitter.com/UN_HRC

and

https://twitter.com/ungeneva

The list of speakers and the speeches (subject to availability) will be posted on the HRC Extranet. Please note that, like last year, hard copies of the speeches will not be distributed in the room. To access the HRC Extranet please

1. fill in this form to obtain access codes
2. log in to https://extranet.ohchr.org/sites/hrc

Webcast

The plenary sessions will be accessible by webcast. You can follow the Council proceedings or access archives at:

http://www.unmultimedia.org/tv/webcast/c/un-human-rights-council.html