Incident with Baerbock in New York has consequences for Russian journalists

Reprimanded by the minister

Baerbock incident has consequences for Russian journalists

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

An incident at a press conference by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during the UN general debate in New York has repercussions for a Russian journalist. “The actions of the journalist in question constituted a violation of media access guidelines,” the United Nations Accreditation Division said. Therefore, the status of his access authorization was reduced.

The background was an incident with a TV journalist from Russian state television. He approached Baerbock on the UN grounds last week and asked her a question as she was on the way to a media meeting. The Foreign Minister did not answer and referred to the upcoming press conference. The reporter continued to follow the Green politician, as footage showed and journalists present reported.

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

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

So-called “resident correspondents” are treated like UN employees, do not need to be searched at the entrance and can move freely throughout large parts of the complex. “Non-resident correspondents” – the status that the Russian TV journalist now also has – on the other hand, have to go through a security gate every time they visit the site and have clear access restrictions to the UN headquarters.

According to his own statements, Russian UN Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya complained to Secretary-General António Guterres about the sanction against the journalist and demanded that the decision be reversed. The reporter did not harass Baerbock or behave incorrectly in any other way. He described a crush with a German delegation member during the incident as an “attack” on the Russian. The Foreign Office did not comment publicly upon request.

Russian media published a video in which a man with a microphone could be seen approaching Baerbock as she walked across the UN compound. He is asked to stay back, but initially continues to push towards the minister. He is then apparently held back by an employee or security guard.