✦ Council Overview
What GPC is
The Global Press Council (GPC) is a special council made up of major news organizations from around the world, including newspapers, television networks, and news agencies. It focuses on the role of the media during important international events.
Its purpose and mandate
The purpose of the Global Press Council (GPC) is to look at the links between the media, the public, and various events happening around the world. The Global Press Council considers how news organizations can report important events responsibly and carefully while dealing with the pressure and difficulties that come with journalism.
Powers & limitations
The Global Press Council does not have the same powers as a government or a traditional United Nations council (such as GA, HRC, SC, so on and so forth). The GPC cannot create laws, punish states, or force news organizations to follow its decisions. Instead, the GPC focuses on discussion and cooperation between different parts of the global press. It can create recommendations, guidelines, and agreements that could help news organizations deal with difficult situations and improve the way information is reported and shared globally. The GPC must also make sure that any decisions or solutions stay connected to the role of the media and do not go beyond what the council is able to address.
Types of issues the GPC addresses
The Global Press Council mainly looks at problems that affect journalists and the way news reaches people. For example, it can look at what happens when journalists are covering a war or political crisis and are not given full access to what is happening. It can also look at situations where governments or other groups try to control what the public sees and hears. Another part of the council’s work is looking at how quickly information can spread, especially online, and how this can make it harder for people to know what information they can trust. Furthermore, the council can also look at how new technology is changing journalism and the way news is created and shared.
Why this council is relevant to the topics being discussed
The Global Press Council is relevant to these events (death of Mahsa Amini, the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi) because the media played an important role in how information about both cases reached people around the world. In the case of Mahsa Amini, reports about her death and the protests that followed spread internationally, allowing people outside Iran to learn about what was happening. Journalists also faced difficulties when trying to report on the protests and the response to them. In the case of Jamal Khashoggi, journalists and news organizations played an important role in reporting on his disappearance and assassination and investigating what had happened.
✦ Event 1
The Death of Mahsa Amini and the Consequential International Outrage
1. Introduction & Background
Mahsa Amini was a 22 year old Iranian Kurdish woman who died in police custody in September 2022. She had been arrested by Iran’s morality police for not following the country’s compulsory hijab laws. She was taken into custody on 13 September and died three days later in hospital. Her death raised questions about how she had been treated and who was responsible.
After her death, protests spread across Iran. People wanted answers about Amini’s death and protested against compulsory hijab laws and the treatment of women. The protests became known as “Woman, Life, Freedom” and quickly gained international attention through photos, videos and news reports.
The Iranian authorities reacted by arresting protesters and using force against protests. Restrictions on journalists and the internet also made it harder for information to leave the country. Despite this, social media and international news organizations continued sharing information about the protests.
Amini’s death led to strong international reactions. Governments, human rights groups and international organizations called for investigations into her death and the treatment of protesters. The United Nations also created an independent fact finding mission to investigate reported human rights violations.
The media played an important role by bringing information about the protests to people around the world. However, restrictions on journalists and the spread of information online made it difficult to confirm some reports.
2. Key Issues & Challenges
A Media Restrictions
Journalists faced restrictions when reporting on the protests, including limited access and internet shutdowns. This made it harder to verify information and report freely.
B Government Response
The arrests and use of force against protesters caused international criticism. Iran said these actions were needed to keep the country safe, leading to disagreements about human rights.
C International Accountability
Countries and organizations disagree over how strongly the international community should respond. Some supported sanctions and investigations, while others pushed for Iran’s right to manage its own affairs.
D Spread of Information
Social media helped information and videos reach the rest of the world quickly. Although, the speed of information also made it difficult to confirm whether or not every report was accurate.
3. International Perspectives
Iran has rejected many of the accusations made against it and has described its response to the protests as necessary to protect public order, while journalists and other stakeholders have raised concerns over press freedom and the safety of those reporting on the protests.
4. Previous International Action
The United Nations Human Rights Council created an independent international fact finding mission in 2022 to investigate reported human rights violations during the Mahsa Amini protests, including the use of excessive force against protesters and restrictions on journalists. Several countries imposed targeted sanctions on Iranian officials and organizations involved in the crackdown.
✦ Event 2
The Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi
1. Introduction & Background
Jamal Khashoggi was a Saudi journalist and a heavy government critic who was killed inside the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul, Turkey on 2 October 2018. He had entered the Saudi consulate to get documents for his upcoming marriage but never ended up leaving. Turkish officials later reported that he had been killed inside the building. The case quickly became an international issue because of Khashoggi’s work as a journalist and his criticism of the Saudi government.
The killing caused strong reactions around the world. Turkey investigated the case, while Saudi Arabia first denied knowing what had happened before later admitting that Khashoggi had been killed inside the consulate. The case also led to international investigations into who was responsible for his death.
The media played an important role in bringing information about Khashoggi’s disappearance and death to the public. International news organizations reported on the investigation and raised questions about the safety of journalists and the treatment of government critics.
The assassination also created tensions between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and other countries. Some governments called for those responsible to be held accountable, while others were concerned about maintaining political and economic relations with Saudi Arabia.
The issue remains important because Khashoggi’s death continues to raise questions about the safety of journalists, freedom of expression, government accountability and the protection of journalists working outside their home countries.
2. Key Issues & Challenges
A Journalist Safety
Khashoggi’s death raised concerns about the safety of journalists, especially those who criticize powerful governments. Protecting journalists while allowing them to report freely remains difficult.
B Government Accountability
A major issue is determining who was responsible for the killing and whether those responsible were properly punished. Different countries have disagreed over the level of accountability needed.
C Freedom of Expression
Khashoggi’s criticism of the Saudi government brought attention to the risks faced by journalists and government critics. This created wider discussions about freedom of expression and political criticism.
D International Relations
The case affected relations between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and other countries. Political and economic interests made it difficult for governments to agree on how strongly to respond.
3. International Perspectives
Countries such as the United States and members of the European Union criticized the killing and called for accountability. Journalists and human rights organizations also raised concerns about press freedom, journalist safety, and access to information. Some media outlets continued investigating the killing despite pressure and the risks journalists faced.
4. Previous International Action
The killing led to investigations by Turkey and Saudi Arabia, as well as an independent investigation connected to the United Nations. Saudi Arabia later prosecuted and sentenced several people involved in the killing.
Some countries also introduced sanctions and travel restrictions against individuals linked to the assassination. However, questions about who ordered the killing and whether all those responsible were held accountable have remained.