

Media Access Guidelines
The United Nations premises are a unique place that brings world leaders, press and others under one roof. We will facilitate media coverage as much as possible, but we need your cooperation to make sure everyone is safe and that protocols are followed.
All UN Media grounds pass holders must agree to and abide by the following guidelines. The purpose of these guidelines is to grant as much access as possible to members of the media while safeguarding and protecting the United Nations Headquarters complex (UNHQ) and ensuring the safety, security and comfort of all of its occupants. While ensuring safety and security is the starting point of policies at UNHQ, it is equally true that journalists play an essential role in the United Nations work and therefore their ability to cover United Nations activities must be facilitated to the greatest extent possible. The following agreement between the Department of Global Communications, Department of Safety and Security (DSS), the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General (OSSG) and the United Nations Correspondents Association (UNCA) governs all media access at United Nations Headquarters. During times of heightened security, additional restrictions may apply (including UNGA).
All UN Media grounds pass holders acknowledge that the United Nations reserves the right to deny or withdraw accreditation of journalists and/or media organizations who abuse the privileges so extended or put the accreditation to improper use or act in a way not consistent with the principles of the Organization or established journalism ethics and standards. The UN grounds pass is to be used only for the intended purpose of permitting access to the United Nations premises for professional journalistic purposes and not for any other purpose. The UN grounds pass is non-transferable, and misuse will result in its confiscation.
In addition, all Correspondents who are granted access to UNHQ must abide by the policies in place, including the United Nations Code of Conduct to Prevent Harassment, Including Sexual Harassment, at UN System Events. They are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner in their interaction with other members of the UN press corps, UN officials, and diplomats. Journalists shall have due regard to the dignity, personal space, privacy and integrity of all individuals.
Where unexpected circumstances arise, the approach will be to avoid confrontation, maintain civility and find the fastest, safest and most secure acceptable solution. Accredited media who are deemed to violate these guidelines may have their accreditation withdrawn or suspended by the United Nations.
All persons are required to comply with safety and security regulations, as well as the rules and procedures of the Organization. Refusal to comply with applicable regulations may result in temporary detention or removal from or denial of access to the premises in accordance with Section 10 of the United Nations Headquarters Agreement and ST/AI/2019/5, entitled “Authority of United Nations Security Officers”.
The parties to this agreement will meet once a year, or as needed, to review policies, which can be revised and should be applied based on a spirit of cooperation and respect for the two simultaneous requirements of security and access. Wider consultations with other parties may be held as needed and additional unannounced restrictions may be implemented due to security and safety issues without notice.
Media passes are issued for editorial, non-commercial, use only. Media passes are not issued to anyone under 18 years of age. Inform MALU without delay if the pass is lost or you are separated from the media organization associated with the accreditation.
UNHQ is a no drone zone. Launching, landing or operating unmanned or remote-controlled aircraft is prohibited. Please dress in a way that respects the professional working environment of the United Nations.
Media Access to UNHQ
1. Resident Correspondents (White P media pass holders) have an assigned work space and privileges as set forth below. Assigned offices and work spaces must only be used for professional journalistic purposes.
a. Resident Correspondents without equipment may enter through the staff entrance at 42nd Street or the Visitors’ Entrance at 46th Street during normal opening hours for these entry points.? Resident Correspondents without equipment may enter through the 43rd Street Entrance only when all other entrance points are closed. Resident Correspondents who need access to their offices on weekends or after hours must inform MALU in advance.
b. All Resident Correspondents accessing the premises with video and/or photo equipment are subject to security screening. From Monday through Friday, entry will take place through the Visitors Entrance at 46th Street and 1st Avenue from 0800-1800 hours. There is no entry at the 43rd Street entrance when in possession of equipment of this nature, except when a meeting is taking place.
c. Resident Correspondents can sign in a maximum of five (5) guests. The guests must be escorted at all times from point of entry to point of departure of the UNHQ Complex.
d. All persons seeking entry to the complex are subject to security screening without notice when deemed necessary by the Department of Safety and Security.
e. Bulletin boards have been provided by the Department of Global Communications to the resident media for the posting of notices. All notices should be posted only on those bulletin boards. Signs posted on doors are limited to entry restrictions – for example, “do not disturb” or “on air.” The Department of Global Communications will provide a nameplate for each resident media organization. Correspondents wishing to store furniture and equipment outside of their offices on the 3rd and 4th floors may only do so in designated areas and with prior approval from the Media Accreditation and Liaison Unit (MALU), and for the length of time agreed by MALU, which will work with the Department of Safety and Security to ensure that security, safety and fire protocols are complied with. Correspondents who wish to remove equipment from UN premises can request a letter of approval from MALU.
2. Non-Resident Correspondents, including Temporary (Green P media pass holders)
a. Non-Resident Correspondents can access UNHQ through the Visitors’ Entrance at 46th Street and 1st Avenue between 0800-1800 hours from Monday through Friday. Non-resident Correspondents only have access to UNHQ on weekends or after hours when a meeting is taking place, or when approved in advance by MALU. Entry will be allowed two hours prior to the start of the meeting. At the conclusion of the meeting, the non-Resident correspondent must exit the premises within an hour, unless accompanied by a resident correspondent. Entry may be authorized through the 43rd Street Entrance only when the Visitors’ Entrance is closed and for the purposes of meeting coverage.
b. Non-Resident Correspondents may access non-restricted areas of the building unescorted after they and their equipment have passed through security screening, unless DSS has declared a heightened period of security.
c. A security clearance sticker will be placed on all equipment.
d. Non-Resident Correspondents are not permitted to sign in guests.
Media Coverage at UNHQ
For assistance, inquiries or escort to media booths, please come to the Media Accreditation and Liaison Unit (MALU), on the second floor of the Secretariat Building (S-250).
1. Open Meetings
a. Accredited Correspondents are permitted access to open meetings in designated areas within the conference rooms, chambers or GA Hall.? If these areas are in addition to the fixed press areas, they will be designated by MALU in consultation with the Chairperson of the meeting.
b. No escort is required to access the seating gallery at open meetings. Seating galleries of Conference Rooms 1,2,3 are accessible from the first floor of the Conference Building. Seating galleries of the Security Council Chamber, Trusteeship Council Chamber, ECOSOC Chamber are accessible from the third floor of the Conference Building. Seating gallery of the GA Hall is accessible from the fourth floor of the GA Building. Seating gallery of Conference 4 is accessible from the Visitors Lobby.
c. Photographing and video recording are only permitted from the media booths, with escort from the MALU office. Stand-ups, interviews, flash photography and TV lights are not permitted in the media booths while a meeting is taking place. Tripods should be on the floor and cameras should be secured using cable ties or neck strap.
d. Correspondents are not authorized on the floor of a conference room while a meeting is taking place.
e. Designation of a meeting as a "Closed Meeting" means that it is not open to Correspondents nor to broadcasting or other forms of coverage.
2. Areas of General Access
a. Conference Building: All Correspondents have access to the First Basement and First Floor areas in front of the conference rooms, as well as the Third Floor, without interfering with the Guided Tours.
b. Secretariat Building: All Correspondents have access to the lobby, second floor (location of the press briefing room, MALU, Media Documents Centre, and Office of the Spokesperson), as well as the third and fourth floors (location of the offices of Resident Correspondents, bullpen, MALU studio and UNCA club). Correspondents may work temporarily at unassigned desks in the fourth-floor media bullpen. Accredited media can email MALU to request to book the soundproof MALU studio (please bring your own cameras, lights, etc.).
c. All Correspondents have access to the Visitors Lobby, Visitors Plaza, north lawn, rose garden and other outdoor areas. Resident Correspondents conducting stand-ups, interviews, or general filming outside, within the UN grounds, should notify MALU, who will inform Security prior to the event. Non-Resident Correspondents should notify MALU and may require MALU escort.
d. With the approval of UN Security and MALU, a stakeout area will be set up as needed at the Secretariat VIP entrance.
e. Filming is not permitted in the various cafeterias. Media access to the Delegates Dining Room for events is determined by the organizers.
f. It is not permitted to film and/or photograph security personnel, systems, offices and/or installations.
g. Artworks exhibited at UNHQ are subject to copyright. It is advisable not to film and/or photograph them for distribution and/or publication.
In areas of general access (excluding media offices), photographing and filming, including smart phone video recording or live broadcasting, requires MALU notification and approval. Non-Resident and temporary Correspondents may also require MALU escort.
Correspondents are permitted to record interviews and conversations with diplomats, staff, officials and journalists, subject to prior arrangement and consent. Correspondents should approach individuals politely and off-camera first, without hindering movement, chasing, following, or causing any kind of disruption. Hiding recording or filming equipment is strictly forbidden.
When a speaker is briefing in areas of general access (including outdoors), or when the arrival of a speaker is imminent, media must remain in the designated area and not cause disruptions, including conducting stand-ups or recording nearby.
Correspondents may meet or interview UN officials on any floor of the Secretariat building, except the 38th floor, if they have a scheduled appointment. TV crews must notify MALU prior to any scheduled interview above the 4th floor.
3. Security Council Stakeout
a. All accredited Correspondents may access the Security Council stakeout area without an escort from MALU while the Security Council is in session or someone is addressing the media at the stakeout.
b. When the Security Council is not in session, Resident Correspondents with equipment who intend to use the stakeout area for interviews and/or stand-ups need to inform MALU, who will notify Security. Non-Resident Correspondents will need a MALU escort to the stakeout area.
c. Correspondents may move around in the stakeout area and conduct interviews. This area may not be used as a permanent workspace. When a speaker is using the microphone, or when the arrival of a speaker is imminent, Correspondents must remain behind the steel fence and may not conduct separate interviews or “stand-ups.”
d. TV camera crews must remain on the upper level of the stakeout area at all times when the Security Council is in session. The lower level is reserved for UNTV, photographers, and all other Correspondents. Correspondents and photographers on the lower level should accommodate, as much as possible, camera operators on the upper level to avoid obstructing the shot.
e. Interviews at the Security Council stakeout should be conducted with Correspondents behind the steel fence. Under no circumstances can the North ramp and South staircase, and the corridor leading to the Security Council be blocked.
4. Second floor of the Conference Building (excluding Security Council Stakeout)
a. Resident Correspondents without camera equipment are allowed unescorted access from the Security Council stakeout to the North Delegates’ Lounge (including the Lounge). Photographing and filming, including smart phone video recording or live broadcasting, is not permitted except with MALU approval and escort. Interviews are subject to prior arrangement and consent. Correspondents should approach politely and off-camera first, without hindering movement or following individuals. Hiding recording or filming equipment is strictly forbidden.
b. Resident Correspondents can escort guests to the North Delegates’ Lounge outside working hours via the Conference Building elevators and use the same route when exiting.
c. The hallways leading to the Security Council Chamber, the office of the President of the General Assembly, and the office of the President of the Economic and Social Council are restricted areas. Correspondents requesting access to these areas must obtain permission from MALU.
d. Filming and photographing is not permitted in the North Delegates’ Lounge, the West Foyer (Indonesian Lounge), and the lounge south of the Security Council stakeout area.
e. Non-resident Correspondents must be escorted by MALU on the Second Floor, outside the Security Council stakeout area, at all times and are subject to the same restrictions as Resident Correspondents.
6. General Assembly Hall
a. Accredited Correspondents may have access to the General Assembly Hall for stand-ups or interviews only if the GA is not in session and with prior approval and escort from MALU.
b. Accredited Correspondents may have access to the designated photo booths, escorted by MALU, for the purpose of filming or shooting an event.
c.? Correspondents are not authorized on the floor of the General Assembly Hall while a meeting is taking place.
d. With the approval of UN Security and MALU, a stakeout area will be made available at the East Foyer, when high-ranking officials are holding meetings of significant news value as determined by the Spokesperson’s Office or MALU. The stakeout may be limited to the beginning and ending of the meeting, for arrival and departure of participants.
7. ECOSOC Stakeout
With the approval of UN Security and MALU, a stakeout area will be made available at the delegation seating area, in front of the windows, at the entrance to the ECOSOC corridor, when officials are holding meetings of significant news value as determined by the Spokesperson’s Office or MALU. The stakeout may be limited to the beginning and ending of the meeting, for arrival and departure of participants.
8. Delegates’ Entrance
Correspondents may wait only inside the building, behind the glass barrier, to photograph/film delegates entering and departing. Prior approval by MALU is required.
9. Photo Opportunities of the Secretary-General
a. Photo ops are only open to TV camera operators and photographers, who need to come to the MALU office (S-250) at least 30 minutes prior to the event for escort. No tripods are allowed and no questions are permitted during these photo ops, unless explicitly agreed in advance by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. Filming and photography are limited to the official photo opportunities, and are strictly forbidden elsewhere on the floor.
b. In some events, owing to logistics or space considerations, select media will have to provide pool coverage.
Media Access at Conferences away from UNHQ
The purpose of these guidelines is to grant as much access as possible to members of the media while safeguarding and protecting the United Nations premises and ensuring the safety, security and comfort of all its occupants: staff, delegates, media and others alike.
While ensuring safety and security is the starting point of policies at UNHQ, it is equally true that journalists play an essential role in the United Nations work and therefore their ability to cover United Nations activities must be facilitated to the greatest extent possible. During times of heightened security, additional restrictions may apply. Where unexpected circumstances arise, the approach will be to avoid confrontation, maintain civility and find the fastest, safest and most secure acceptable solution. Those accredited media who violate the ground rules governing access, including the abovementioned standards of ethical behavior may have their accreditation withdrawn or suspended by the United Nations.
Media passes are issued for editorial, non-commercial, use only. Accredited media are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner in their interaction with other members of the UN press corps, UN officials, and diplomats. Journalists shall have due regard to the dignity, privacy and integrity of all individuals.
Access to restricted areas requires an escort from the Media Accreditation and Liaison Unit (MALU), available at the media centre information desk. Accredited media are permitted access to open meetings in designated areas within the conference rooms. Designation of a meeting as being a "Closed Meeting" implies that it is not open to media nor to broadcasting or other forms of coverage.
In areas of general access, Correspondents are permitted to record interviews and conversations with diplomats, staff, officials and journalists, subject to their prior consent. Photographing and filming may require MALU approval. Hiding recording or filming equipment is strictly forbidden. Equipment should not pose a safety hazard.
Photo ops are only open to camera operators and photographers. No tripods are allowed and no questions are permitted during these photo ops, unless explicitly agreed in advance. In some events, owing to logistics or space considerations, select media willhave to provide pooled coverage.
UNHQ is a no drone zone. Launching, landing or operating unmanned or remote-controlled aircraft is prohibited. Please dress in a way that respects the professional working environment of the United Nations.
Within United Nations premises, all persons are required to comply with safety and security regulations, as well as the rules and procedures of the organization, including the United Nations Code of Conduct to Prevent Harassment, Including Sexual Harassment, at UN System Events. Any act that disrupts the normal functioning of the organization’s programmatic activities, such as public displays of any form, including, but not limited to, clothing, banners, placards or other written or visual means, as well as vocal/audio sounds, gatherings, or demonstrations of any kind, including passive, is not allowed.
It is not permitted to film and/or photograph security systems, offices and/or installations. All persons seeking entry to the complex are subject to security screening without notice when deemed necessary by the Department of Safety and Security. All individuals present on the United Nations premises are expected to fully cooperate with United Nations security officers at all times. Refusal to comply with applicable regulations may result in temporary detention or removal from or denial of access to the premises in accordance with Section 10 of the United Nations Headquarters Agreement and ST/AI/2019/5, entitled “Authority of United Nations Security Officers”.