RCMUN’25
RCMUN
RCMUN’25 ‘25
STUDY GUIDE
RCMUN’25
RCMUN’25
RCMUN’25 INTERNATIONAL
PRESS CORPS
RCMUN’25
T H E E N G L I S H L I T E R A R Y A S S O C I AT I O N
O F R O YA L C O L L E G E
United Nations Human Rights Council
(FIFA)
What is the International Press Corps (IPC)?
The International Press Corps (IPC) is a space at Model United Nations (MUN)
for students who want to explore journalism. As an IPC delegate, your job is to
report on what's happening in the committees, just like a real journalist would,
you’ll write news articles about the debates, ask questions, and try to
understand different sides of the story. It’s a chance to see how global issues
are discussed and how news is made.
IPC connects student reporters from all over the world. At RCMUN 2025, you'll
be placed in one of these two news agencies:
1. Australian Associated Press (AAP)
2.CGTN (China Global Television Network)
Each news agency has its own way of writing and its own point of view and
you’ll need to follow that style and stick to its basic rules while writing your
articles. You’ll also be assigned to a MUN committee, such as;
General Assembly 1 (GA1)
Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)
World Health Association (WHA)
United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)
United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
In your role, you’ll watch the debates in your committee and choose a focus or
“angle” for your article. This could be about a key speech, a disagreement, or
how countries work together. Just make sure your angle fits with your news
agency’s rules.
What is Journalism?
Journalism is the work of finding, checking, creating, and sharing news with
the public through platforms like newspapers, TV, websites, and social media.
It helps people stay informed by explaining what’s happening in the world and
why it matters.
Journalists ask questions, investigate stories, and report facts to keep the
public updated, while also making sure that powerful people and
organizations are held responsible for their actions. To do this well, they aim to
be fair, honest, and independent, following core values like truth, accuracy,
and balance.
In a world where technology and media are changing quickly, journalism plays
a key role in giving people reliable information, encouraging open discussion,
and protecting democratic values.
News Agencies
1. Australian Associated Press (AAP)
The Australian Associated Press (AAP) is a leading national news agency based
in Sydney, Australia. Established in 1935, AAP has played a crucial role in
providing factual and timely news coverage to media outlets across the
country and beyond. The organization covers a broad range of topics,
including national politics, courts, business, science, the environment, and
sports, ensuring Australians are informed about key developments both
domestically and internationally.
AAP is renowned for its commitment to accuracy, clarity, and editorial
neutrality. It delivers content in a concise and accessible format, making it a
go-to source for objective, fact-based reporting. The agency avoids
editorializing, instead focusing on delivering straight news without political
bias. Its reporting style is practical and dependable, offering consistent and
balanced coverage suitable for newsrooms, educators, and those new to
journalism. AAP's role in supporting press freedom and regional news
coverage highlights its importance in the Australian media landscape.
For further understanding about the article style of AAP:
https://www.aap.com.au/
2.CGTN (China Global Television Network)
China Global Television Network (CGTN) is an international news organization
headquartered in Beijing, China. Launched in 2016 as the global arm of China
Central Television (CCTV), CGTN broadcasts in multiple languages and aims
to present China's perspective on international and domestic affairs. The
network covers a wide range of subjects, including global politics, economic
development, cultural stories, and science and technology.
Known for its formal and polished presentation, CGTN’s editorial tone reflects
the strategic goals of the Chinese government, emphasizing national
achievements, diplomacy, and stability. While its coverage is often framed
within state-aligned narratives, CGTN provides insight into non-Western
viewpoints and promotes themes of global cooperation and mutual
development. The content is informative and accessible, with a focus on
current events and China’s role in global affairs. For readers and journalism
beginners interested in international media perspectives, CGTN offers a
structured and globally oriented news style.
For further understanding about the article style of CGTN:
https://www.cgtn.com/
Article Structure Guide
As a journalist at RCMUN 2025, following a consistent structure will help you
write clear, professional articles. This guide outlines the basic format you
should use for all your articles.
1. Headline
Your headline should catch attention and clearly reflect what the article is
about. Keep it short, specific, and relevant to the content. Think like a reader,
what would make you want to read more?
Example: Climate Tensions Rise in Arctic Council Over Oil Drilling Debate
2. Byline
This is where you include your name and your assigned news agency. Example:
By Maya Perera, The Guardian
3. Sketch or Photograph (Optional)
If allowed or available, you may include a drawing or image related to your
article. Make sure it adds value and comes with a clear caption explaining
what it shows.
4. Placeline (Optional)
This tells readers where the story is being reported from. You can include it if
relevant to your article.
Example: Colombo, the Union for the Mediterranean began its first session
today...
5. Lead
The lead is your opening sentence or two. It should be under 25 words, clear,
and share the most important detail of your story. A strong lead grabs the
reader's attention and gives them a reason to keep reading.
Example: The Arctic Council clashed on the future of oil exploration, with
rising tension between environmentalists and energy-dependent nations.
Avoid long, confusing intros or vague statements. Be direct and specific.
6. Body
This is where you tell the full story. Expand on the information from your lead
using facts, quotes, context, and clear explanations.
Your body should include a logical flow, starting with the most important
points, use short paragraphs to make reading easier, include quotes or
statistics to support your story, answer the 5Ws and H: Who, What, Where,
When, Why, and How, and be written in third person using active voice.
Example body snippet:
The delegate of Norway expressed concern, saying, “We cannot continue
drilling at the cost of melting ice caps.” Meanwhile, Russia emphasized the
need for energy access, citing “national growth and employment” as
priorities.
7. Closing Statement
End with a line that ties things together, raises a question, or encourages the
reader to think more deeply. Don’t just repeat your lead, leave a lasting
thought.
Example: As the debate continues, the Arctic Council faces a difficult
question, can environmental goals survive economic pressures?
Tips
Introduce sources such as quotations and statistics to verify accuracy.
Ensure clear explanations of the 5Ws and H (Who, What, Where, When,
Why, and How.)
Always report in the third person and use an active voice.
Submission
Deadlines
Following deadlines is an important aspect of the press. You will be made
aware of the deadlines in your briefing and the inability to meet them will have
a negative effect on your entire conference experience. Articles must be
submitted electronically as a Microsoft Word document (.docx) at the end of
each day of the conference.
Format
Your articles will be named in the following manner: The name of your article
and then your name separated by a hyphen followed by the name of the news
agency you are in.
E.g.: Global Vaccine Distribution Challenges Sarah Perera (Times of India)
In interviews, you shall write the designation of the person and council and
then your name for submission.
However, your article will have the headline of the most important quote
according to you.
E.g.: - File submission name- “Interview with WHO Director (WHA)- Sarah
Perera” but the headline might be “Health for All is Within Our Reach.”
Articles cannot be edited after submission, and you will be evaluated by what
you submit. The font size of the article: Times New Roman, Size 12.
Writing Pieces
Press Statements
Press statements will follow a general news article format, using the inverted
pyramid structure. IPC delegates are to choose one topic from the options
given to them. Your article should align with your news agency's mandate and
biases. Delegates are expected to refer to the mandate and articles of their
news agencies to understand their writing style thoroughly.
Points to keep in mind:
No personal opinions should be included in your press statement. Opinions
of your news agency can be used.
Always verify the details of your article and crosscheck the facts and
statistics provided.
Delegates will not be allowed to research during the allocated writing time.
Bringing hard copies of research is mandatory.
Topics will be released during your briefing.
Press statements must be submitted electronically as a Microsoft Word
(.docx) document.
Editorials
Editorials express the official opinion or stance of your news agency on a
particular topic. IPC delegates should write editorials that reflect their
agency’s perspective while supporting their arguments with facts and
analysis. The tone can be persuasive but should remain professional and
respectful.
Points to keep in mind:
Use clear reasoning and evidence to support your opinion.
Avoid personal bias and maintain the agency’s voice.
Research beforehand, as no new research is allowed during writing time.
Editorial topics will be shared during your briefing.
Editorials must be submitted electronically as a Microsoft Word (.docx)
document.
Guidelines for Agency Tasks
Australian Associated Press (AAP)
AAP is known for factual, neutral, and timely news reporting. Your tasks should
reflect this commitment to clarity and reliability across all platforms:
Newspaper Articles:
Focus on delivering accurate, fact-based news in a concise manner.
Maintain a neutral tone with no editorial bias.
Prioritize national coverage on politics, courts, business, environment, and
public interest stories.
Ensure clarity and accessibility for a general readership, especially for
syndication to other outlets.
Social Media Posts:
Share straightforward news updates with clear headlines.
Avoid sensationalism; focus on factual reporting and source credibility.
Use hashtags tied to verified news events and official information.
Prioritize speed and accuracy in breaking news scenarios.
YouTube Videos:
Produce short, factual explainer videos or breaking news summaries.
Use direct narration and verified visuals (press conferences, footage from
the field).
Avoid commentary; focus on presenting the news without interpretation.
Aim to support newsrooms, educators, and the public with dependable
visual content.
2.CGTN (China Global Television Network)
CGTN focuses on delivering international news from a Chinese perspective,
with an emphasis on diplomacy, development, and global cooperation. Your
tasks should maintain a formal, strategic tone that aligns with its state-
backed editorial stance:
Newspaper Articles:
Highlight China's global initiatives, partnerships, and domestic
achievements.
Use a formal tone, emphasising stability, harmony, and development.
Focus on major geopolitical events, trade, infrastructure, and science.
Present stories within a framework of mutual respect and national interest.
Social Media Posts:
Use polished headlines that emphasize China's role in global affairs.
Share curated content on diplomacy, international cooperation, and
innovation.
Include official quotes, data, and visuals aligned with the national
narrative.
Use hashtags centered on global development, peace, and cultural
exchange.
YouTube Videos:
Produce documentary-style or feature videos on China’s global
contributions.
Use smooth narration with cinematic visuals and structured storytelling.
Include expert commentary, official statements, and interviews with
stakeholders.
Frame stories in a way that promotes China’s soft power and global
engagement.
Writing Guidelines
• Adjust the writing style to the issue being written about. While wit and
humour generally improve the readability of articles, more serious issues
require an equally serious tone, especially in reference to vulnerable or
disadvantaged groups.
• Accuracy is of the utmost importance. Make sure that all details including
facts, details and names are double-checked and free of error.
• Remember to maintain accurate grammar and spelling as these will be
significant criteria in grading articles.
• Maintain structure by using paragraphs and punctuation appropriately.
Sentences should be concise, clear and informative.
• The ultimate goal of journalism is to enlighten. Hence, articles should not be
confusing to the reader.
• Consider the simplicity and readability of your article before submission.
ABBREVIATIONS: No periods should be used to separate letters of an
abbreviated organisation or agency. Only standard acronyms and approved
abbreviations should be used. When abbreviating the names of agencies or
organisations, first use the unabbreviated name with its abbreviation in
brackets before continuing to use its abbreviation throughout the article.
Eg: Sri Lanka Model United Nations (SLMUN)
Other examples of abbreviations include SLMUN, UNODC, AU, UNEA, USSR, UK,
and USA.
NAMES: Verbal verification is mandatory on all named sources. Naturally, all
proper names are capitalised.
NUMERALS: Numbers less than ten should be spelt out in English as opposed
to using the numerical symbol unless expressing a percentage. Numerals over
ten are reported using standard Arabic numerals, such as in 2001.
CURRENCY: Dollar values are displayed with the appropriate currency symbol.
Values on orders at or greater than one million are summarised, for example,
$54,000, $135,000, or $214 million. Sri Lankan Rupees shall be written as LKR
and not Rs.
SPELLING: Reporters should be sure to spell-check all articles before the
editorial deadline. This will greatly assist the Editor.
BOOKS AND PRINT SOURCES: Names of all books and print sources should be
capitalised and italicised, such as The Guardian, The New York Times, and The
Economist.
DEVELOPING NATIONS: Within the international community, the use of the
term "third world" is actively discouraged. No nation will be referred to as
"Third World.”
QUOTATIONS: All quoted statements within articles should be incorporated
grammatically into the sentence being written. Additional capitalization
should be avoided. If only part of a sentence is being used in a quotation, an
ellipsis (i.e.:.) should be used to indicate the omitted portions of the
statement. If the ellipsis comes at the end of a sentence, it should have a
period at the end within the quotation marks (“...") to indicate the conclusion
of a sentence.
If within a quotation, the speaker uses an abbreviation or reference which
would be unclear to the reader, the Reporter may interject a clarification
within square brackets (i.e.: [...]). This indicates that the bracketed information
is not a direct quotation; rather it is a clarification on the part of the author.
As an illustration of these rules, consider the following statement given by
former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Boutros Boutros-Ghali:
Boutros-Ghali stated that “peacekeeping is a complex and difficult task... it
requires the cooperation of many actors.” He further noted that “[the UN]
must be prepared to act decisively and with clear mandates” to be effective.
Original statement – "Peacekeeping is a complex and difficult task. It requires
the cooperation of many actors. The UN must be prepared to act decisively
and with clear mandates to be effective."
Statement adjusted for clarity – "Peacekeeping is a complex and difficult
task... It requires the cooperation of many actors. [The United Nations] must
be prepared to act decisively and with clear mandates to be effective."
Square brackets can also be used to change the verb form in quotations.
UN TITLES: These titles are not to be abbreviated. UN and SLMUN official titles
include Secretary-General, Under-Secretary-General, Director. Secretary
General shall never be abbreviated as Sec Gen.
RESOURCE LINKS FOR FURTHER READING
For a glossary of journalism related terms:
https://www.journalism.co.uk/glossary.shtml
To understand the expected standard of integrity and ethics:
https://cs.stanford.edu/people/eroberts/cs181/projects/2010
11/Journalism/index16e4.html?page_id=24
For an in-depth analysis of the expected reporting style:
https://webwisewording.com/inverted-
