Statement by Permanent Representative Vasily Nebenzia at the 48th session of the UNGA Committee on Information
Mr. Chairman,
We are compelled once again to draw attention to the fact that the US side continues to abuse its position as the host country of the UN Headquarters. This year, once again, a representative of the Russian delegation was not issued an entry visa to participate in the 48th session of the UNGA Committee on Information, despite documents having been submitted in a timely manner. We qualify this action (or, rather, inaction) by the US side as a gross and systematic violation of its obligations under the Headquarters Agreement. We expect the UN Secretariat to take comprehensive measures to put an end to this vicious and politicized practice, which may include – if needed – the initiation of arbitration proceedings.
Mr. Chairman,
Over the past year, the situation regarding freedom of access to information and media pluralism has not only failed to improve, but it has continued to deteriorate. This is largely the result of the policy pursued by the collective West towards establishing control over the global information space, suppressing dissent, and manipulating international public opinion. To this end, the entire arsenal of political censorship is being employed: from so-called “sanctions” against media outlets and journalists to repressive measures targeting their families.
It is deeply regrettable that, 80 years after the adoption of UN General Assembly Resolution 59 (I), which proclaimed freedom of information a fundamental human right, Western countries – particularly the European Union – are, instead, inventing pretexts to impose ever-new restrictions and bans.
Against this backdrop, the Kiev regime, too, is displaying extreme forms of intolerance: opposition media outlets have been banned, thousands of websites have been blocked, and dissidents are being persecuted. Hatred toward all things Russian is openly promoted and incited through the media at all levels.
The clique in Kiev persists with terrorist attacks targeting civilians, including journalists and war correspondents, and is openly bragging about this fact. As a result of attacks by the Ukrainian army, six Russian journalists were killed in 2025, and in 2026, one correspondent miraculously survived a drone strike.
The extremist online platform “Mirotvorets,” launched back in 2014, continues to operate, publishing personal data on “undesirable” individuals, including journalists and even children. It has been established that this notorious website is registered in one of the countries of the “collective West,” yet this does not appear to bother its leadership.
Mr. Chairman,
For all ongoing crimes and terrorist attacks targeting Russian journalists and the suppression of the media, specialized international bodies either remain silent or respond selectively and on paper only. In doing so, they effectively embolden new atrocities and discredit the international system for the protection of journalists and freedom of access to information.
Similar selectivity has become the norm for a host of human rights NGOs as well. A report by the Russian Union of Journalists, which we circulated among Committee members, attests to this with specific examples. It is lamentable that UN agencies also frequently rely on biased sources.
Mr. Chairman,
We note the significant amount of work carried out by the Department of Global Communications (DGC). At the same time, we cannot but take note of the stuffing changes within the DGC, which are being introduced under the pretext of streamlining the department’s operations under the UN-80 initiative. Member States are often informed about such reshuffles only when they become a fait accompli, and they do raise concerns regarding the transparency and balance of staffing policy, including the compliance with the principle of equitable geographical representation. We call on the Department’s leadership to ensure a more transparent and fair approach to modernizing its structures, with due regard for the principle of geographical diversity. It is equally important that the DGC consistently ensure the equal and full use of all official languages of the United Nations.
We would like to particularly emphasize that the effectiveness of the UN’s information activities also directly depends on preserving and strengthening the network of regional information centers. These centers ensure the provision of objective and timely information and reinforce the Organization’s credibility on the ground. Their capacity must not only be preserved but also consistently expanded, in terms of both staffing and resources. Information activities is one of the UN core mandates and cannot be outsourced. We will closely monitor this aspect of work.
Thank you.
