UN GATE, June 21 – On World Press Freedom Day, the United Nations of Antonio Guterres claimed to be in support of journalists being able to do their work without hinderance.
But UN Global Communications chief Melissa Fleming put out a video of Guterres equating what he (and she) characterize as disinformation as the threat to press freedom, Guterres has banned Inner City Press from entering the UN since 2018, when it exposed the omission of links to bribery firm CEFC China Energy from his financial disclosure.
On June 19, 2025, Inner City Press submitted an application to cover the UN General Assembly, letter here.
Now on June 21 we reporting, from whistleblowers, the UN's offer of buy-outs in UNIFIL in Lebanon with the mission's mandate set to expire this summer:
HR : Consideration of Agreed Terminations – Guidance to Staff
Dear Colleagues, This broadcast is to advise that UNIFIL is currently considering the possibility of offering Agreed Termination packages, without enhancement, to civilian staff who may be interested, subject to the number of requests and availability of funding. The Mission therefore advises interested staff to send a memorandum requesting Agreed Termination to the Chief Human Resources Officer, indicating why they believe it is in the best interest of the organization to approve their request. Please note that in all cases, without exception, the date of separation would be 30 June 2025.
Agreed termination may include notice, or compensation in lieu of notice in accordance to staff rules. Staff members who could exercise their acquired right to retire (60/62 or any time thereafter) but before their mandatory age of separation (65), would not qualify for Agreed Termination as this would be considered retirement. The terms and conditions must include that the staff member is not eligible for re-employment with the United Nations, its subsidiary organs, programs or funds for a period of 3 years following the date of separation from service (30 June 2025)
Law firm Quinn Emanuel, on a pro bono basis, wrote to Fleming and the UN Correspondents Association (with state media of China on its board of directors) seeking a dialogue to reinstate Inner City Press. Later, so did the pro bono law firm of Duane Morris.
Now, with Inner City Press' UN and SDNY covering, including the Sean Combs trial, being picked up all over the world, the application. Watch this site.
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