The age-old question of freedom or censorship has arisen once more, and the delegates of HRC seek to answer it. With many varying opinions on the issue, and a ruling having to be made by HRC, such an impactful decision will not come easy. Each delegate has a role to play in pushing freedom of the press forward or facilitating censorship. Which way the pendulum of liberty swings is yet to be seen, but the effects of the committee debate could send ripples for decades to come.

A resolution proposed by the delegate of China suggests that liberties will be upheld, while adhering to regulations against misinformation, declaring that the press must be held accountable. However, the resolution mentions that governments should be allowed to review information provided to journalists, a clear attempt at incapacitating the press. 

Many delegates within the council saw right through the paper-thin veil of “freedom” offered by the resolution, with many delegates expressing their opposition to censorship. Countries such as the United States proposed cutting clauses related to censorship. Other amendments added clauses to hold governments accountable for what they choose to release that prevent governments from a. infringing upon journalistic integrity and b. allowing citizens to identify altered information through education, as suggested by the delegate of Belgium. Such action by the council is a bright sign that all is not lost in the fight for freedom of the press and that the fire of freedom will still burn bright for years to come.

It was clear to see that China’s resolution originally faced widespread opposition from the council, namely for its attempts at censorship and the limitations it places on information. However, the numerous adjustments made to reduce the severity of the resolution, including many submitted by the delegate of Belgium, altering the resolution to a more moderate stance , gaining the support of most of the council and eventually passing with an overwhelming majority. 

Whilst the resolution initially appeared radical in nature, it would eventually be rehabilitated and brought to bear. The resolution in its final state preserves independent thinking and freedom of speech, yet eradicates misinformation and restricts the government’s ability to hide the truth, allowing reporters to deliver the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. A true win-win situation has been achieved by HRC, with the solutions implemented by the committee hopefully bringing us into a world with a wealth of truth at every man’s fingertips.