PRESS CORPS
Topic Summary
Philip L. Graham, former president of The Washington Post, once said that “journalism is the first rough draft of history.” Ever since its origins, news articles and reporting magazines have worked as the means to document historical events and provide an insight into different time periods. Over the last decades, journalism has also played an increasing role in covering international developments and informing the public about global politics, economics, and society. Overall, news articles are an important form of communication that keeps its readers informed of the everchanging worldwide events, while also empowering them with useful knowledge.
Over the last years, however, the world has been witness to a technological revolution led by Artifical Intelligence (AI). AI-powered chatbots such as ChatGPT have been gaining popularity, allowing journalists to process information and write news articles more quickly than ever before. On the other hand, the widespread use of AI also raises concerns about accuracy, bias, and the role of journalism in the contemporary world. AI-generated content has been used to spread misinformation, perpetuating bias, and undermining the legitimacy of news agencies.
At HNMUN, the press committee will investigate the impacts of AI on journalism. The Press Corps will also play a prominent role in determining the outcomes of each discussion, while holding the delegates accountable for their actions and speeches. Press Corps delegates will immerse themselves in the occupation of journalism itself, with the main objective of understanding what it means to work under a rigorous schedule, and against the external factors that might influence the quality and/or veracity of their news. As the debates progress inside the committee rooms, it is the press delegates’ duty to keep up with the developments and outcomes, covering them with attention.
Members of the press are expected to interact and collaborate with other press delegates, as well as with other committees within the conference. By doing so, reporters will be able to understand the crucial role of the press as an institution, especially when it comes to ensuring that the quality and veracity of their articles are not compromised by external factors. Through the published pieces, the press will actively influence the course of the debate, mobilizing the delegates to action. It is imperative, therefore, that the Press Corps delegates are eager to cover the topics, write their news articles, and produce multimedia content that engages with the discussions that happen throughout the sessions. Think about the power that your pieces hold: either by critiquing an unproductive debate, or by holding delegates accountable for their contradictory statements, press corps delegates will have many opportunities to make their voices heard and help write the history of every committee at HNMUN 2024.
Director’s Letter
Dear Reporters,
It is my great honor to welcome you to the Press Corps committee of Harvard National Model United Nations 2024. Before anything else, I want to congratulate each and every one of you on choosing the best committee of the conference. To all the future reporters, journalists, and anchors out there, be prepared for the ride of your life!
My name is Victor Arruda, and I will serve as your director at HNMUN. I am a junior at Harvard College pursuing a degree in Government and Art, Film, and Visual Studies. I was born and raised in the city of Recife, a tropical paradise in northeast Brazil. During high school, I developed a passion for politics, international affairs, and digital media. After participating in all imaginable types of MUN committees, I fell in love with Press Corps, mainly due to its unique modus operandi and magnetic energy. After collecting certificates from MUN conferences worldwide, I am very excited to be directing this committee. Outside of MUN and class, I am a research assistant at the Harvard Radcliffe Institute,president of the Harvard Undergraduate Brazilian Association, and a graphic design editor for Harvard FIG. Magazine.
The Press Corps is a special committee in which you will be assuming the role of international news organizations, covering the major events across all the substantive organs of HNMUN. As a member of the press, you will have the opportunity to interview prime actors of the committees, write news articles and editorials, conduct press conferences, and design content for social media. In other words, you will be responsible for reporting the conference's occurrences with clarity and objectivity, holding the delegates accountable for their inconsistencies and decisions. By the end of the committee sessions, Press Corps reporters will have improved their writing, research, and public speaking skills considerably, while also having experienced the many aspects of the conference to their fullest.
Having participated in Press Corps as a reporter quite a few times, I know that the experience can be a little overwhelming initially, especially when you are new to this type of committee. However, I want you all to see this as an opportunity to expand your horizons and experience MUN in a unique way. The abilities you will acquire at Press Corps will be valuable for journalism and non-journalism majors. I am excited to see how you will explore the many different areas that this committee has to offer. Even though you will not be writing papers or resolutions, you will be investing similar time and effort in your news pieces and editorials; the same can be said for the time you dedicate to elaborating questions for the press conferences. Above all, I hope this experience will ignite a passion for journalism in you. Media coverage plays a key role in impacting international policymaking. Making the delegates understand that in practice is the Press Corps’ main goal.
In short, I count on you to cover the conference with great commitment, diligence and excitement. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.
Sincerely,
Victor Arruda
Director, Press Corps
Harvard National Model United Nations 2024