STUDY GUIDE IPC
Introduction
The media is the most vital organ of any political machinery—it informs the
public, scrutinizes power, and shapes the global narrative. Whether in times of
peace or crisis, no political movement, diplomatic dialogue, or legislative
decision is complete without media coverage. In CLMUN, the International
Press reflects this indispensable role. You are not just observers; you are the
pulse of the conference.
As journalists, you will dive into debates, dissect arguments, and craft
compelling stories that frame the MUN’s most defining moments. As
photojournalists, you will capture the visual heartbeat of diplomacy—freezes of
emotion, power, and persuasion that words alone cannot convey. Together,
your work will bring the committees to life, spotlight the overlooked, and hold
the powerful to account.
You are here not just to document—but to challenge, to question, and to tell
the stories that must be told. In this committee, your words and images are
your influence. Use them boldly, use them truthfully, and above all, use them
responsibly.
Welcome to the newsroom. Welcome to power with a pen and a lens.
LETTER FROM THE
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Dear Delegates,
It is with great enthusiasm that we welcome you to the International Press of
CLMUN, where journalism meets diplomacy, and storytelling meets strategy.
As the Chairpersons of Journalism and Photojournalism, we are honored to
guide you through one of the most dynamic and influential organs of this
MUN.
The media is often referred to as the fourth pillar of democracy, but in truth, it
is the backbone of any political machinery. It doesn't just document
decisions—it influences them. It shapes public discourse, exposes
contradictions, and crafts the narratives that endure far beyond the conference
itself. That is the power you hold.
As journalists, your words will breathe life into debates, uncover hidden
angles, and challenge the status quo. Through interviews, op-eds, breaking
news stories, and in-depth reports, you will become the eyes, ears, and voice of
this conference.
As photojournalists, you will capture the defining moments—the tension
before a vote, the unspoken dynamics between delegates, the candid
expressions of diplomacy in action. Your lens will show what words sometimes
cannot say.
Together, you form a newsroom built on curiosity, ethics, and creative power.
We would like to encourage you to embrace your roles not just with
professionalism, but with passion. Ask difficult questions. Tell powerful
stories. Be fearless, fair, and factual.
We are here to support, mentor, and challenge you throughout the conference.
We look forward to reading your articles, seeing your photographs, and
watching you grow into bold media voices of the future.
Welcome to the International Press. Let the stories begin.
Warm regards,
Chirag Tiwary (Chairperson, IPC - CLMUN)
Members Of Conglomerate
The members of International Press are further subdivided into the following
two roles depending upon their respective tasks.
1. Journalists: Journalists are the voice of the conference, capturing the
essence of the committee debate via news reports, interviews, and sharp
editorials that impact and influence.
2. Photojournalists: Photojournalists narrate the visual story of the
conference, freezing moments of diplomacy, drama, and
decision-making through their powerful lens.
The objective of both journalists and photojournalists should not be just to
write articles and capture images, rather it should be to reflect their ability to
express in the most efficient manner possible.
Journalism
Journalists are the unsung warriors of diplomacy; armed not with weapons,
but with words. In the International Press, your pen holds the power to shape
perception, challenge narratives, and immortalize moments. You are more
than just observers; you are analysts, critics, and storytellers who give voice to
the unseen and clarity to the complex.
But with this power comes the responsibility of truth, and that begins with
research. A well-informed journalist is an unstoppable force—one who
questions with conviction, writes with purpose, and reports with integrity.
Your articles must not only reflect the happenings of a room but also capture
the undercurrents of tension, diplomacy, and strategy. Knowing the
backgrounds of delegates, the history of the agenda is not optional, it is
essential.
Approach this role with diligence, curiosity, and a relentless commitment to
uncovering the truth behind the speeches. In a world driven by information,
you are its gatekeepers.
Let your words be sharp, your mind sharper, and may your journalism echo
far beyond the walls of committee rooms.
Here are the various types of written content that will be featured in the
International Press:
REPORTS:
Reports prepared by journalists serve as comprehensive summaries of topics
covered during committee sessions. They detail the discussions and
proceedings without incorporating personal opinions, focusing solely on
presenting factual information. However, reports should also include
thorough insights and analyses that are clearly articulated and well-supported.
OPINION EDITORIALS: (OP-Ed)
Opinion Editorials provide a platform for expressing the journalist’s
perspective on issues discussed during committee sessions. These opinions
should be derived from the committee’s proceedings backed by independent
research. To be effective, opinions must be underpinned by solid evidence and
relevant facts derived from the conference discussions and outcomes.
SATIRE:
Satirical pieces are unique for their witty treatment of controversial subjects.
Journalists use satire to address sensitive issues light-heartedly, while
carefully avoiding offense. Despite its playful tone, satire should remain
intellectually stimulating and focused on the committee's topics. It should
maintain respect for all parties involved.
FEATURE ARTICLE:
Features offer a creative approach to journalism, allowing reporters to portray
the committee’s proceedings and outcomes through prose, poetry, letters,
diary entries, or other artistic forms. While features can be imaginative, they
must maintain a formal tone and be well-crafted to ensure they reflect the
committee’s work accurately and respectfully.
Executive Board Profile:
An EB Profile is similar to a character sketch, where journalists may pick an
Executive Board member of their choice and write about them.
In addition to the above, the journalists can also draft the following:
● Humour/Gossip Column
● Flash Fiction
Press Conference:
The most thrilling part of journalism is the independence to ask brave
questions, and thus, each committee shall hold a press conference in which
reporters are supposed to draft interview questions and interrogate the
delegates of their respective committees. The questioned delegate must
answer ex tempore. The delegates cannot refrain from answering the
questions but to maintain decorum, journalists
should not force a delegate to answer. Journalists should attempt asking
open-ended, interesting questions; as they have the liberty to ask questions
that may be slightly controversial. The materials from the press conference
may be used to enhance write-ups.
Journalism Guidelines
1. The word limit for each write-up is 300 words, excluding the heading.
2. Journalists may submit write-ups in addition to assigned tasks, but
must remember that the judgment of articles is qualitative and not
quantitative.
3. Plagiarism and AI use will result in the deduction of points or even the
disqualification of the delegate. All cited material must be given proper
credit.
4. All delegates will be marked on proper grammar, punctuation, and
particulars like proper introductions of abbreviations.
5. Delegates must refrain from using contractions like ‘don’t’, ‘can’t’ etc.
6. Write-ups (excluding features) must follow an appropriate format, i.e.
Introduction, Main Body, Conclusion, in that very order.
7. There must be a by-line after the heading conveying the name of the
author, their media house, and their allotted committee.
8. All writeups are to be made in Word format with font size 14 for
headings and 12 for content. Use of any Sans Serif font is allowed. Titles
are mandatory.
Submission Guidelines
1. All write-ups must be submitted by the deadline
announced by the Executive Board members.
2.All documents are to be named as per the guidelines of the
chairperson.
Photojournalism
1. The photographers will be assigned a particular committee. The
conference participation for the photographers starts from Committee
Session 1 onwards.
2. The pictures and videos are to be submitted to the Chairperson of
Photojournalism at the end of each session. The Photojournalists must
be submitted at the end of each session
3. At least 20 photographs showing all members of a council/committee,
with different perspectives.
4. At least five of them should be at the time of a moderated caucus or a
procedural vote when placards are raised.
5. At least one video of an ongoing debate or heated discussion must be
covered.
The pictures will also be judged by the Chairperson on the following basis:
1. Technical excellence - Components such as blur, lighting, contrast, angle,
colour balance, exposure, sharpness, colour and tonal rendition.
2. Originality -post-production is generally frowned upon, no edits, no
watermark. The idea of taking pictures in a creative manner.
3. Clear and impactful focus on the subject.
4. Composition of the photo - This involves what is being covered and the
colour balance is maintained or manipulated to give a better picture
5. Visual and aesthetic criteria - This refers to framing of the picture, elements
and the principle, visual impact and background.
6. Content- Basically the emotion, information, ideology, feeling, mood,
communication meaning and subject impact
7. Style — Your personal signature: a consistent, deliberate way of shooting
that makes your photos recognizably yours, not a random collection.
[Link] — Truthfulness and relevance: real, unstaged moments from this
conference, honestly representing what actually happened.
[Link] vision — Seeing the shot before it happens: anticipating
moments, catching details others miss, finding fresh angles in a repetitive
committee room.
[Link] — Does the photo make someone stop and look? Emotion, tension,
or an unusual moment beats technically perfect but boring.
11. Activity during the conference (how much does the photographer move,
does the photographer create any kind of disturbance during the committee
sessions, whether every part of the conference is covered or not).