Michigan State Model United Nations | Session XVII
March 17 – 19, 2017
Press Corps
Background Guide
Editor-in-Chief
Emmett McConnell
Assistant Editors
Lindsay Fricano, Betsy Borre
Michigan State Model United Nations | Session XVII
Hello reporters,
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Press Corps for MSUMUN XVII. In the Press Corps we will all
be working on the Daily Gavel, MSUMUN’s news organization. It will be our responsibility to keep others
informed on the activities of other committees and delegates at the conference. With five general assemblies, six
specialized committees, seven crisis committees, and the NGO forum there will be a lot to cover. With so much
potential content we will use several methods of reporting including writing, photography, and social media.
My name is Emmett McConnell and I will be your Editor-in-Chief for this year’s Daily Gavel. I am a
junior majoring in Earth Sciences and minoring in Science Technology and Environmental Public Policy, which
rocks. My dream job would be helping policymakers understand scientific literature or helping the National
Parks Service implement policy. I chose MSU for Lyman Briggs College, which is a residential college of
natural sciences. Briggs has many advantages but my favorite is class size. In two years I have never had a
Briggs class with more than 100 students. Outside of Lyman Briggs, I love MSU because of all of the people
and perspectives I have met through my minor and extracurricular activities like MSUMUN and Men’s Glee
Club. I love photography, and work as a photojournalist for MSU’s student newspaper, The State News.
Working for The State News I have grown to appreciate journalism and the challenges traditional journalism is
facing. I had my first MUN experience last year as an Assistant Chair of the Paris Peace Conference 1919
committee at MSUMUN XVI and I loved it immediately. This year I am very excited to be your Editor-inChief.
We have a lot of work to do, but this background guide will help you prepare. Inside you will find
resources to help you before and during the conference, as well as your responsibilities as a reporter. As your
staffers, Lindsay, Betsy, and I are also available to answer any questions you have. You can reach out to us at
[email protected]. I look forward to meeting you all!
Best Regards,
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Emmett McConnell
Editor-in-Chief, Press Corps and Daily Gavel
[email protected]
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Introduction To Junior Staff
Lindsay Fricano
Hello reporters! My name is Lindsay Fricano and it’s my second year here at MSU. I’m majoring in
Material Science Engineering with minors in History of Art and Classical Studies. I’m very much involved in
SWE (Society of Women Engineers) as a committee chair, and I sing alto in the St. John’s choir. My job while
at school is working in a material science laboratory that experiments with solder joints (they keep our cell
phones running y’all). Why do we work on this you might ask? Because all the good areas of research…argon.
As for MSUMUN, this is my second year as a member of Press Corps. Prior to this, I had absolutely no MUN
experience, but I learned a lot this past year and feel completely at home with MSUMUN. Like many of you,
I’m sure, I wrote articles for my high school newsletter. Journalism is a dear hobby of mine, so coming back to
be Assistant Editor this year was a no brainer. MSUMUN gives such a unique perspective on issues we all
should be debating on. It will give you a place to find your voice like I did, and I wish you all the best for this
conference.
Betsy Borre
Hello! My name is Betsy Borre. I am a Junior in the James Madison College here at MSU, studying
International Relations with minors in Spanish and Latin American and Caribbean Studies. Besides studying
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here at MSU, I am an avid coffee fanatic. If you see me without my cuppa joe during conference, something is
wrong. Outside of MSUMUN, studying, and coffee-drinking, I am also a member of a professional foreign
service sorority and the competitive model United Nations organization here on campus. I have been doing
Model UN for five years, three years of high school and two (and counting) here at Michigan State. This is my
first year on staff for MSUMUN, and I am rather looking forward to experiencing life behind the dais.
Introduction to Press Corps
News organizations are responsible for keeping citizens and policy makers informed about what is
happening in their neighborhoods, in their cities, in their governments, and around the world. As the speed of
information movement increases so does the importance of that information. It is the job of the press to inform
people on what is happening, be it a natural disaster halfway across the world, government corruption, or the
newest policies of their city government.
At MSUMUN, Press Corps takes on those tasks and publishes our results in the Daily Gavel. The Daily
Gavel is responsible for providing information to delegates and chairs on what is happening in other
committees, be it sweeping economic accords in General Assemblies, disaster striking in a crisis committees, or
a landmark agreement allowing a treaty to move forward in a specialized committee. There are dozens of
negotiations and agreements in all 18 committees every session and any of them could be a story. As reporters,
it will be your job to find the stories and share them with fellow delegates- who may not otherwise be aware of
what is going on in other committees.. The questions you ask in your interviews and the way you write your
stories will affect how other delegates see the events of MSUMUN XVII. Keep your eyes open and your minds
sharp so you can keep other delegates informed and accountable.
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Types of Content
Like news outlets everywhere, the Daily Gavel is moving away from our physical publication. We will publish
a physical paper every day of the conference, but we will be using other platforms as well.
Written
Print was the original medium of the Daily Gavel and as with previous years we will publish an issue
every day of the conference; unfortunately real estate is limited in the print edition and not all of our stories will
be published that way. However, the Daily Gavel will also have a website this year where all written content
will be published. Written stories will include articles, interviews, editorials, opinion pieces, and more. These
will focus on and explore the who, what, where, when, how and why of the events of MSUMUN XVII.
Between observing committees, finding sources, and asking questions these will be the most intensive pieces
that you will do as reporters, but also the most informative and rewarding.
Visuals
Stories with visuals get more readers, this is a fact of journalism. Readers are generally more interested
in reading stories that are represented both through words and through visuals. Written words are excellent for
relaying the events and forces leading up to a moment, but photos and videos are much more engaging ways to
capture individual moments. There are four levels to good journalistic photography. The more visual you make
your piece, the more other delegates will want to read what you have to say. Visuals are a way to draw in a
reader and capture their attention. *the letter from the chair is a good place for less formal language, but the
body of the background guide should be more formal
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Social Media
Social media is another way to get stories out to the rest of the delegates at the conference. Journalists in
Press Corps are encouraged to employ various social media platforms- like Twitter to display elements of a
story that might translate better through a photograph or video clip, rather than a full story. Live tweeting
breaking committee news is also an important function of social media. The Daily Gavel’s official handle is
@DailyGavel. Tweets are required to be unbiased and factual. Reporters are encouraged to follow official
committee accounts in order to stay updated. Tag @DailyGavel in your tweets so they can be retweeted by the
official account and distributed.
Use of social media and technology is subject to the following rules:
1. Use of social media and technology is restricted to MSUMUN related content
2. Technology use must not interfere with proceedings of other committees
3. Social media may not be used to harass any delegate or staff member
4. Technology and social media use is a privilege. Do not abuse it.
Technology and social media are tools and are not necessary to be an excellent reporter.
As such, violations of these rules will result in loss of technology and social media privileges. Serious violations
may also result in discussions with advisors, loss of award potential, and/or removal from committee. As
editors, we reserve the right to remove inappropriate content.
Delegates are not permitted to follow MSUMUN staff members on any personal social media platform.
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Committee Procedure
As a result of the nature of Press Corps, our committee will operate differently than the other
committees at MSUMUN. It is highly recommended that Reporters interact with other committee sessions and
conduct interviews with fellow delegates throughout the weekend. *Members of the Press Corps will be
allowed to talk to other delegates during moderated caucuses. The right to interact with other delegates during
moderated caucuses at all must be requested from and granted by the committee chair by way of notes. This
freedom to move in and out of committee rooms allows for the development of stories written in
committee.Written news stories are the most common method of reporting that will occur during conference.
Written stories include (but are not limited to) basic news stories, opinion pieces, editorials, and briefs. Opinion
pieces are expected to express the author’s angle of the story- unlike the other methods, which will be strictly
unbiased. The most important stories will be revealed at the beginning of committee session each day, with the
expectation that other stories will be pursued as well. Provided are the rules and policies to understand before
the weekend of the conference:
1. Delegates will be given credentials when they first arrive at conference. These credentials must always
be worn both in and outside of the committee room so you can be easily identified as a delegate and as a
member of Press Corps.
2. Respect the bodies in which you are standing as an observer. Being able to go in and out of committee is
meant to increase your understanding of that particular context and to gather facts. This observation and
fact gathering ability is a privilege. Your Press Corps badge is a major resource; it is essentially an allaccess pass to the conference. Please, be respectful of the committees in which you are observing,
and do not abuse this ability.
3. Interviews are to be conducted during both moderated and unmoderated caucuses, as well as when
committee session is at a break. These interviews will occur outside of the committee room where said
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committee is taking place. Be respectful of other delegates, and also remember that as a reporter, you
have a deadline.
4. Technology has presented itself as a major asset to journalism, and will be a great resource for Press
Corps delegates. Cell phones will be an indispensable resource throughout the conference in the sense
that we will be able to record direct quotes, which will be properly recorded as a means to avoid
credibility issues. It is strongly suggested that reporters bring personal laptops, tablets, phones and
digital cameras to conference. Regardless of if a delegate does or does not bring these instruments, Press
Corps will be a fun and engaging experience for everyone. Journalists have utilized the pen and paper
for many years before the current technological revolution.
Awards
As in other committees, you as press corps delegates will he eligible for awards based on the quality and
quantity of your coverage of the conference. Quality will be judged on the the criteria laid out in this
background guide including accuracy, punctuality, enthusiasm, originality, and overall effort.
Desk Assignments
At MSUMUN XVII, reporters will be assigned to a desk with a small amount of other students. Desk
assignments will rotate throughout the conference to allow reporters a varied experience. Editors will help
reporters develop story ideas but it will be up reporters to decide which stories they write. The editor of each
desk will make decisions regarding the content that will be published in the Daily Gavel. It is advised that
delegates read background guides of the committees that will be worked on by the respective desks.
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Desk 1: Crisis Committees
These are narrowly-focused, fast-paced committees in which delegates are assigned and expected to assume the
role of a particular character. This year we have:
Land of the Rising Sun: 1939 Japanese Heads of Government
Hurricane Katrina
Martian Colonies: Abandoned
Project National Glory: Operation to Retake Mainland China
George Washington’s Cabinet
Ukraine Crisis: Yatsenyuk’s Interim Government
Strategic Deliveries: The World’s Leading Public Relations Firm
Desk 2: Specialized Committees
These are smaller committees than General Assembly committees, and are focused on a particular topic or
event, rather than a general subject. This year we have:
Pan-Kurdish Summit 2017
African Union
Tutankhamen’s Court
The Commission to Restore Detroit
Arctic Council
Mississippi Freedom Summer 1964
Desk 3: General Assemblies and ECOSOCs
These are large bodies focused on a large topic. They are slower paced but deal with a much greater volume and
breadth of policy than Crisis and Specialized committees. This year we have:
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2002 Historical Special Political and Decolonization Committee (SPECPOL)
World Health Organization (WHO)
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Economic and Financial Committee (ECOFIN)
Before the Conference
As reporters, you will not be writing position papers. However, you do have your first assignment.
Choose one of the committees above and find a news article about it that interests you. In the case of the
historical committees, an encyclopedia article is okay. Write a brief (less than one page double spaced) paper
about why you are interested in that committee, why you chose the article you did, and some of the strongest
and weakest parts of the article. The writing tips below may be helpful for this assignment.
Journalistic Writing Tips
The whole goal of Press Corps is to experience the journalistic writing process. Finding and reporting a
story in real time is vastly different from general essay writing. Stories in the Daily Gavel will not only educate
and entertain the delegates of this conference, but will serve as personal practice for your own unique writing
voice in this style. To get some perspective on what makes a newsworthy story please check out this Purdue
Online Writing Lab link: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/735/01/
Beyond that, the following points will lay the foundation for successful reporting during the conference:
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1.
In general, quality news stories are written from an objective point of view. While the quotes you
gather are the meat of the story, they are the only place where opinions and perspectives should be
found. The remainder of the story must be fact and ideologically neutral.
2.
The only exceptions to the above point are in the cases of editorial and opinion pieces.
a.
Editorials are articles expressing the opinion of the news staff collectively. They are often
unsigned and serve to present a researched formation of opinion on an issue relevant to the
community. An example of an editorial might be an endorsement of a presidential candidate.
b.
Opinion pieces reflect the individual musings of a staff member. These columns or stories can
reflect a wider range of topics including the personal lives of the author. Opinion pieces usually
include the author’s name and contact information.
c.
Further perspective on the difference between an editorial and opinion piece can be found in
this Wayne Independent article:
http://www.wayneindependent.com/article/20111208/NEWS/312089994
3.
The first consideration for a story should be the reading audience. Keep in mind that teachers and
fellow delegates might not be there to see a story unfold. You should write so that they can follow your
intent clearly and be engaged in the story. There is some creative freedom that comes with Press Corps,
but always remember that the conference is academic and professional in nature.
4.
The next consideration should be possible interviews. Gathering quotes is key for a successful article.
Quotes bring the story to life and add depth and clarification. Observation during a committee session
should inspire talking points and specific prepared questions for interviews. Effective interview
questions are open ended and start with the 5W’s and H (Who, What, When, Where, Why, How). To
keep an interview streamlined, you should do as much research as possible on a subject or issue. This
eliminates the need to ask for basic facts, like dates or history. A strong beginning to an interview might
include questions like “What is your position on this?” or “How do you think this will be impactful?”.
Interview a diverse group of sources to gain a well-rounded perspective. As a reporter, you must always
be respectful, professional, and prepared. Also,don’t forget to introduce yourself!
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5.
When the actual writing process begins, accuracy is the most important component. Writing anything
less than fact erodes credibility as both a reporter and a news agency. The Daily Gavel prides itself on
being accurate. Misquoting a source is unacceptable, no exceptions. Any direct quotes used in a story
are required to be accompanied to your editor by an audio clip. Audio clips will cut down on misquotes
considerably. Accommodations will be made for reporters who do not have the appropriate technology
available to them.
6.
Hand in hand with accuracy, fact checking is crucial. Fact check your story and then check it again. If
you have a question, do not hesitate to ask for clarification. A source will generally respond to a
repeated question better than a misquote. For any article you write, sources should be identified by their
official title (e.g “the delegate from Argentina” or “Gokul Anil, Secretary-General”). Confirm this
before leaving an interview.
7.
The actual frame work for the story puts the 5W’s/H in the beginning paragraphs. Sentences in
journalism are concise, and paragraphs are usually no more than one to two sentences. Start with a hook
(introduction) and insert the 5W’s/H. An opinion article starts in the same manner, but includes a thesis
and stated position. News pieces are written in the third person. See links from The Purdue Owl and
Scholastic for tips and examples on the journalistic style:
a. http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/news/step1.htm
b. https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/735/05/
Sample Story
Here is a sample story written during MSUMUN XVI last year. It will give you some idea of what we
are looking for in an article and further suggestions on how to approach writing your articles.
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French Revolution-- Olivia
Guilty. The inevitable fate of King Louis XVI was made today and voted on unanimously. The trial
conducted in the Liberty Leading the People: French Revolution committee has charged the king with gross
negligence. When witnesses were asked to define ‘gross negligence,’ the general consensus was that given the
harsh circumstances of people dying in streets dues to hunger, it is being a bystander and failing to carry out
basic responsibilities.
The king believes that “God has a place in government because God has appointed me.” So what does
the king add or do for the society? Exercised humility, as he relentlessly concocted excuses for his immoral
behavior.
The king has voiced concern for the extent to which the people should have a say in the government. He
believed that everyone is born with ‘rights’-the right to work for the benefit of the nation and the king.
However, the workers feel as though even this has been violated. Simply put, the witnesses would like to see
him killed.
Though drawn out, the verdict is clear cut: guilty and “dangerously incompetent” per the words of
Emmanuel Joseph Sieyes. Upon this, delegates are parted in theorizing punishment. Half would like to send him
to the guillotine. The majority of the rest of the delegates have ethical reservations, with few citing how the
death of the monarch would be viewed by other countries. This proves to be unjust, as the views of other
countries should not impede the decisions in which France makes concerning how she chooses to punish her
leaders.
By the end of the trial, King Louis XVI came to be known as simply, Louis.
Debate concerning the ethics of his sentence are being discussed. Since the delegates were parted,
further debate concerning the ethics of the death penalty will be held in a future moderated caucus.
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In Closing
The work reporters do to find and report the facts and implications of government actions is important to
the world. It helps citizens and policy makers stay informed and accountable. That is our job as the Press Corps.
The work we do can play a big role in making the events and resolutions of committees real for delegates. We
look forward to meeting and working with you to make the Daily Gavel and MSUMUN XVII great.
Sincerely,
Emmett, Lindsay, and Betsy
Press Corps Staff
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