Incident with Baerbock jn New York affects Russian journalists

A Russian journalist apparently harassed Foreign Minister Baerbock with questions at the UN headquarters in New York. This now has consequences.

Event at a press conference with the German Foreign Minister Anna Baerbock during the UN general debate New York he has an influence on a Russian journalist. “The journalist’s actions were in violation of media access guidelines,” the United Nations’ Accreditation Department said, and his access clearance was downgraded.

The background was an incident with a TV journalist from Russian state television. He went to Baerbock on UN grounds last week and asked her a question on her way to a media briefing. The Foreign Minister did not answer and referred to the upcoming press conference. The reporter continued to follow the Green politician, as shown by photos and journalists who were present.

Finally, he stood next to Baerbock, who was getting ready to make her statement. The Foreign Minister then cheerfully asked the man to join other media representatives so that the press conference could begin. The journalist then left the press conference.

The UN confirmed that the journalist could continue to do his work in the building and that he would not be denied access. The United Nations has various permissions for reporters that affect access to the site.

Treated as “resident correspondents” known as UN staff, they do not need to be checked at the entrance and can move freely throughout large parts of the building. “Non-resident correspondents” – the current status of a Russian TV journalist – on the other hand, must pass through a security gate every time they visit the site and are their clear access restrictions to UN headquarters.

According to his own statements, Russia’s UN Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya complained to Secretary-General António Guterres about the sanction against the journalist and asked that the decision be made. to turn back. The reporter did not harass Baerbock or misbehave in any other way. He described a crush by a member of the German delegation during what happened as an “invasion” of Russia. The Foreign Office did not comment publicly on the request.

Russian media had published a video in which a man with a microphone could be seen approaching Baerbock as she walked across the UN building. He is asked to stay back, but at first he still pushes towards the minister. It appears that he is then held back by an employee or security guard.