Media Accreditation

Bona fide representatives of the media - print media, photo, radio, television and film, news agencies, freelance journalists and online media - who fully meet UN media accreditation requirements can be accredited to the Vienna International Centre (VIC) and to all UN conferences in Vienna.

Types of accreditation

Yearly accreditation is reserved for journalists based in Austria or other European Union countries working for a bona fide media organization. Temporary accreditation is provided to visiting journalists covering a specific event or meeting for a limited duration. When applying for a temporary pass, please provide two recent samples of coverage of international affairs.

Daily/events/conferences

Please send an e-mail request indicating details of which event you want to cover to: press.vienna@un.org and provide two recent samples of international affairs coverage.

You can request a badge for one day, several days or the length of the conference you are covering.

Yearly accreditation

Please fill out the online form and follow the instructions.

Accreditation badges are valid for four months from the date of issue for new requests and for 12 months from the date of issue for renewals.

Media credentials are issued by the United Nations free of charge.
UNIS offers a press working area in the Vienna International Centre in the C-Building, Rooms C0332-C0334.
Representatives from publications which are communications, outreach or advocacy publications of non-governmental or non-profit organizations do not qualify for media accreditation.
Double accreditation is not permitted (for example: press + delegate, press + NGO, press + family).

Print, radio and TV, photo journalists, news agencies must provide

A letter of assignment on official letterhead of a media organization signed by the Publisher, Editor-in-Chief, or Assignment Editor (along with their contact information). It should be current, and include a) the duration of the assignment, b) verifiable information regarding the reach of the media (print circulation, radio/television audience, digital audiences (web site, social media). Please address the letter to the Media Accreditation Unit and upload it (in PDF format) to the form when registering, along with samples, as described below.
Scanned image of a valid press card (national or international)
Scanned image of passport/national ID card
Print media must submit a minimum of three by-lined articles published within the past 12 months.
Radio and TV media must submit a minimum of three reports broadcast within the past 12 months. Media staff, such as camera operators, sound engineers, producers and technicians can submit the work of the reporter to whom they contributed their services to support their accreditation request.
Photographers must submit a minimum of three photos with credit of the issuing organization in the past 12 months.
Completed online accreditation form (only for yearly accreditation) or e-mail request to press.vienna@un.org (for any other accreditation request).

Online media must meet the following requirements, in addition to those above:

The website must belong to a recognized media organization and have a specific, verifiable street address and a telephone number.
The website must have at least 60 per cent original news content or commentary or analysis, including coverage of international or UN-related issues.
Media representatives are required to submit six (6) by-lined articles within the past 12 months that were posted on the website.
The website must be updated at a minimum of three times a week.

Freelance journalists including photographers, must also provide

Clear documentation that they are on assignment from a specific news organization or publication.
A valid assignment letter from that news organization, or publication, is required.

Independent broadcasters and film production companies must provide

A letter from a broadcast organization or film distributor which has committed to air or distribute the work. The project should be UN-related.
Publications/outlets which are communications outreach or advocacy publications of non-governmental or non-profit organizations do not qualify for media accreditation.
Double accreditation is not permitted (e.g. press + delegate, press + NGO)

Once you have received confirmation by e-mail, please proceed to either:

The Security Pass Office located at the main entrance Checkpoint One for yearly accreditation, conference accreditation and accreditation for more than one day. Security staff will issue a media badge with your photo, there is no need to bring your own; or
The security reception desk at Checkpoint One for a daily press access badge.

Valid photo ID is required for this.

In accepting a UN Media card you are agreeing to abide and adhere to the terms of the United Nations Media Guidelines:

All UN Media ID Card holders acknowledge that the United Nations reserves the right to deny or withdraw accreditation of journalists from media organizations whose activities run counter to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations or 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 for the intended purpose of permitting access to the United Nations premises and not for any other purpose. The UN grounds pass is non-transferable and misuse will result in its confiscation.

Media accreditation is strictly reserved for members of the press (print, photo, radio, television, film, news agencies and online media) who represent a bona fide media organization. No media badge will be issued to journalists whose application does not conform to the established procedure.

Note on bona fide media organization:

The Department of Global Communications must be satisfied that the individuals applying for accreditation are professional journalists and represent bona fide media organizations [formally registered as a media organization in a country recognized by the United Nations General Assembly]. Media organization must have demonstrable editorial oversight and a verifiable street address and telephone number (P.O. Box will not be accepted). Accreditation will only be given on proof of a track record of reporting for media organizations on international affairs. Media accreditation is not accorded to the information outlets or advocacy publications of non-governmental organizations. The Department of Global Communications may require supplementary documentation to evaluate the request. Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis and the decisions of the Department of Global Communications are final. The Department of Global Communications reserves the right to deny or withdraw accreditation of journalists from media organizations whose activities run counter to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, or 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.

Please provide a new letter requesting the renewal of the accreditation on official letterhead of the media organization signed by the Publisher, Editor-in-Chief, Assignment Editor or company official (along with their contact information). It should be current and include a) the duration of the assignment, b) verifiable information regarding the reach of the media (print circulation, radio/television audience, digital audiences – website, social media).

Media representatives are required to provide a minimum of three by-lined or credited articles; three broadcast reports, or three published photos showing consistent coverage of the United Nations in Vienna throughout the period of accreditation. Technical staff can submit the work of the reporters to whom they contributed their services.

Media representatives with a valid press accreditation and who are granted access to the Vienna International Centre must abide by the guidelines concerning media access and coverage.

Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

Based at the United Nations headquarters in New York, the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General is Stéphane Dujarric. On the Spokesperson’s website are details of the Secretary-General’s daily schedule and official travels, statements and remarks at press encounters as well as the highlights and transcripts of the daily briefing.