Amid UN Rot Application by Inner City Press Denied 6 Months Late Without Explanation
UN GATE, Jan 12 – 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.
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.
There has been no answer to an appeal to Guterres head of security Gilles Michaud.
On January 12, 2026, more than six months after it was submitted, the UN denied Inner City Press' application, without giving any reasons. It said, if you believe there is an error, asking the manager. So Inner City Press immediately emailed Tal Mekel:
"Earlier today I received: #179584 Full Name - Matthew Lee | Badge Length - Long-Term | Access Start Date - 19 Jun 2025 | Access End Date - 17 Oct 2025 Your accreditation has been rejected Contact manager if you think this is an error. I am writing to contact you as manager: I think this is an error.
For InnerCityPress dot com I write more stories about the UN than the vast majority of correspondents, including resident correspondents, you accredit. I publish exclusive stories, many of them back on my journalistic contacts among UN whistleblowers. Already this year I have published stories about the mission in Colombia, South Sudan, and the proposed merger of UNFPA and UN Women.... So I think it is an error and I am asking you to reverse it, or as a first step to provide an explanation for the denial, in light of the above. On deadline."
Watch this site.
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