Global Proposal Letter from
UNICCA Press and Information Department
Global Media Fellows:
No matter where you are now, we hope you and your family are doing well.
This spring is destined to be unforgettable, and a pandemic-defense battle on human destiny is still fighting at all corners over the world. As the COVID-19 continues to spread in the international community, global media has played an important role in spreading information, guiding public opinion, and directing people’s faith and values. “A journalist is the lookout on the bridge of the ship of state. He notes the passing sail, the little things of interest that dot the horizon in fine weather. He reports the drifting castaway whom the ship can save. He peers through fog and storm to give warning of dangers ahead. He is not thinking of his wages or of the profits of his owners. He is there to watch over the safety and the welfare of the people who trust him.” (by Joseph Pulitzer，Founder of the Pulitzer Prizes). This vividly and accurately points out the social functions of media to monitor the global environment and provide early warnings about any possible crisis.
The world has become a small village. We depend on each other. We must understand and respect our diversity. The media needs to take a mission in improving the scientific quality of the general public. In order to enhance this great mission, the Press and Information Department of The UN International Collaboration and Coordination Agency would like to deliver a global proposal as follows:
We firmly support WHO to play a leading role in global anti-epidemic cooperation. World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency within the United Nations system responsible for public health matters, and its role in responding to outbreaks is crucial. Under the leadership of the WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, upholding a scientific, objective and impartial position, and actively guiding and assisting countries to respond to the epidemic, WHO plays an irreplaceable role in preventing and controlling to the global public health crisis. All global media should support the WHO’s guidance and coordination to fight against the epidemic in the international community with joint efforts.
Global reporters are urged to use your sharp eyes, agile ears and wise minds to monitor and process key information lurking in the fields of human health, politics, economy, culture, etc., and issue timely warnings to ensure the safety of the "big ship" of the international community.
The COVID-19 pandemic is very sudden, urgent and uncertain this year. After the outbreak, the general public has shown some degree of panic and negative behavior to some extent. At this crucial moment, in addition to sharing correct information, media reporters are also suggested to provide public opinion guidance to help the public understand and analyze the incident and the facts behind the scenes as well as pay attentions to people’s psychological endurance. Media should avoid inciting intolerance, discrimination, stigma, and prejudice in any forms.
We believe that the world will finally usher in the dawn of victory in the near future.
联合国国际合作协调局副局长兼新闻部部长韦燕女士 全球媒体新闻工作者： 不知您现在身处何地、是否安好？希望此刻您和您的家人一切平安。 这个春天注定难忘，一场关于人类命运共同体的疫情保卫战正在全球打响。随着疫情的持续蔓延，全球媒体在传递信息、引导舆论、安抚民心等方面发挥着重要的作用。普利策新闻奖创办人约瑟夫·普利策说：“如果把社会比作是一艘航行在大海上的船，那么新闻工作者就是站在船头的守望者。他要在一望无际的海面上审视一切，及时观察海上的不测风云和浅滩暗礁，并发出信号。”这生动、准确地指出了新闻媒体监测环境、预警危机的社会功能。 世界已经成为一个地球村。我们互相依赖，我们必须理解并尊重我们的多样性。媒体在提升公众科学素质中需要担当使命，正是基于这样的认识，联合国国际合作协调局新闻部向全球媒体发出倡议： 坚定支持世卫组织在全球抗疫合作中发挥领导作用。世卫组织是联合国系统内负责公共卫生事务的专门机构，在应对疫情中的作用至关重要。在世卫组织总干事谭德塞带领下，秉持科学、客观、公正立场，积极指导协助各国应对疫情，世卫组织在应对全球公共卫生危机方面发挥着不可替代作用。全球媒体理应支持世卫组织指导协调国际抗击疫情工作，携手克服危机。 恳请全球新闻记者用你们敏锐的眼睛、灵活的耳朵和睿智的头脑监测着潜伏在人类健康、政治、经济、文化等领域的关键信息，及时发出预示和警告，保障国际社会这艘“大船”平安顺利航行。 此次新冠肺炎疫情具有很强的突发性、紧迫性和不确定性。疫情爆发后，普通民众在某种程度上都会出现一定的恐慌心理和消极行为。这个时候，请媒体记者除了传递信息外，还需要进行舆论引导，帮助公众认识和分析事件，培养公众的心理承受力。避免煽动不容忍、歧视、污名和偏见的言论持续蔓延。 我们相信，不久，全世界终将迎来胜利的曙光……