The Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club (TFCC) is aware of reports that two Taiwanese reporters from Central News Agency (CNA) were barred from attending this week’s World Health Assembly.
The reporters, Judy Tseng and Tien Hsi-ju, were not allowed to claim their press credentials despite being accredited to cover the WHA meeting, according to CNA, which cited a United Nations staff member blaming the ban on pressure from China.
The right of journalists to access information and events should not be determined by their nationality, especially at a global body such as the UN or its associated organizations.
Press freedom is essential to holding powerful institutions accountable. Earlier this month, UN bodies in New York delivered a joint statement saying “The right to freedom of opinion and expression, press freedom, access to information and the pursuit of peace and sustainable development are closely interlinked.” The TFCC couldn’t agree more.
May 23, 2023