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NOV - 7 2014 NOTE TO THE SECRETARY-GENERAL (through Ms. Malcorra) tLt------;oJ:J)_ DPI Weekly Press Review

The press review this week examines continuing coverage of the Ebola outbreak, the release of the latest report of the Jntergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and the United Nations response to political developments in Burkina Faso after the ousting of President Blaise Compaore.

While Ebola remains atop the giobal media agenda, the coverage in the West this week was slightly diminished and there was a sense from some commentators that the threat to people beyond West Atl·ica may not be as great as feared.

The communications challenge ahead is to ensure that the world understands that we cannot afford to become complacent or assume the worst is over just because case numbers have declined or slm;v·cd in some Ebola-aftected areas.

Both your Special Envoy David Nabarro and UNMEER chief Tony Banbury stressed those points in all their public encounters this week. To that end, your op-ed scheduled to run in The rVashington Post this weekend should also help reinforce this message.

On Burkina Faso, some commentators compared the situation to the Arab Spring, while others wondered about the potential implications for other long-standing leaders in sub-Saharan Africa who have been reluctant to cede power.

The media remains sceptical that the Burkina be military will allow a smooth and swift transition to civilian rule, and has suggested that your envoy Mohamed lbn Chambas and other African leaders may have to continue their mediation efforts in the weeks ahead.

Yom· meeting with the performer Conchita Wurst in generated strong reactions, both positive and negative, across social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Linkedln and lnstagram. Meanwhile, your display of a T-shirt with the logo 'No Kangaroos in Austria' also prompted many positive comments online.

Separately, a recently released poll by the UN Foundation's Better World Campaign ­ conducted just a few weeks before mid-term elections in the United States-has found that 87 per cent of the country's likely voters agree that it is important "for the US to maintain an active role within the United Nations."

Thank you.

___ ~-6. -::- ,/----·--·--·'W"t"~-~ ?~---·---- ~-~~-----~..../ (""~aher Nasser Acting Head Department of Public It F.~Iololi.l.l.:.:.l.~;..l ____ 7 November 2 14 r :.-: r. t: I \1-E-~ .-[ -; --...

'"'l,.f ') v L ~JJ4 cc: The Deputy Secretary-General !Mr. Amdur I Ms. Amos I Mr. Dujarric I Mr. Feltman i Ms. ·· Mr. Ladsous ! Ms. Mohammed PRESS REVIEW Friday, 7 November 2014

Produced by News and MedJa Division, Department of Public Information

EBOLA Ebola remained a top story globally this week, but the level of coverage in the Western media appeared to flag a little amid a sense from some quarters that the threat outside West Afl:ica was diminishing. The United Nations continued to be a central part of the story, with interest on several fronts. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's tough stance against restrictions on health-care workers drevv' ongoing coverage, while there was widespread reporting on the calls by both David Nabarro and Tony Banbury that vigilance - and resources - was still needed and that the outbreak was far fi·om over.

Stop the virus (If its source The UN chiefs warning against "unnecessarily" strict restrictions on health-care workers returning to their home countries resonated globally. From DPA and Voice of Amedca to PTI (India) and Xiubua, there was· pick-up of his assertion that ''the best way to stop this virus is to stop it at its source, rather than limiting or restricting the movement of people." Many commentators supported Ban. An editorial in Dubai's Khaleej Times reconfirmed the "utmost importance" of the Secretary-General's caution, for fear the restrictions could "derail the spirit of fighting the disease." In the New York Times, the doctor and author Abraham V erghese wrote of the "flawed" strategy that punishes rather than reward doctors who risk their lives to contain the outbreak. In the Wall Street .Journal Asia, Jeflrey W. Hornung and Paul Midford asserted that the frontlines of defence were not in airports or border crossings, but in West Africa. "If Ebola is not stopped there it will inevitably spread globally," they wrote. According to an Irish Times editorial, the World Health Organization has "rightly" challenged the unnecessary quarantining of health-care professionals. Taking a contrary stance, Washington Times columnist Robert Knight questioned how what he called "common-sense precautions" were "evidence of hysteria or discrimination."

Twin messages to step up resources and keep up vigilance After Banbury's recent whistle-stop tour to affected countries, the press was quick to track the UNMEE;R chiefs assessment that, despite significant contributions, the UN "lacks resources" to :fight the deadly virus. While HP A reported that experts fear Ebola will become endemic, RFI underscored that Banbury described a "very mixed picture" with both "broader encouraging signs" along with challenges ahead. Several media outlets continued to echo his alarm about relaxing efforts against the disease. The Daily Beast (US) noted: "Eclipsed by celebrations over alleged success in containing the epidemic in Liberia, a new deadly outbreak has been silently surging in rural Sierra Leone." The Guardian (UK) gave prominence to the fear and panic under way in a remote district of Sierra Leone that was experiencing a fresh outbreak. AP and stressed the UN's concern that Sierra Lconeans were forced to break quarantines to find food because aid deliveries vvere unable to reach them.

A separate Reuters story maintained that World Bank President Jim Yong Kim also repo1ied "mixed progress" in treating and containing the virus, citing encouraging signs in Liberia and worrying reports from Sierra Leone. Kim's call for Asia to send trained health workers to West Africa sparked a spate of stories, from AFP to RIA Novosti and Yonhap (). According to AI Jazeera, Kim said that Asian countries were not contributing enough to the global effort. A widely picked-up Reuters story under the headline "Asia must do more to help global Ebola tight, World Bank says" ran in outlets ranging from Ha'a•·etz to VietNam's Thanh Nicn Ne\vs and Singaporean health website YourHealth. Nabarro also raised the UN's profile through a series of interviews. The envoy's statement to AP that "until the last case ofEbola is under treatment, we have to stay on full alert ... It's still bad," was carried in full by some agencies (the Economic Times of India, CBS News, South China Morning Post and Canada's Globe and Mail). In an interview with Deutsche Welle, Nabarl'o stressed the "unequal situation" that implied "we work to a high level until all regions are under control" while spealdng with Jeunc Afrique, he elaborated on the importance f()r countries to demonstrate real political leadership.

WHO al.s·o in the spotlight WHO's regional meeting in Benin drew headlines after Margaret Chan's criticism ofthe drug industry's drive for profit as the main reason for the non-existence of an Ebola vaccine. Chan's remarks crossed :fi:om mainstream outlets - the New York Times, Time magazine and Venezuela's TeleSur TV- to specialized health publications in the US, including the Pharmacy Times journal, Outbreak News Today and Youth Health magazine. The naily Mail (UK), Russia Today and Lebanon's Al-Manar echoed Chan's assertion that there was no vaccine "because the virus previously only affected poor African nations." Nigeria's This Day captured the crUJ( of the story under the headline "West Africa: Ebola -- WHO blasts pharmaceutical companies over delay in cure, vaccines." Commentator Tara Haelle, \\Titing for Ji'orbes magazine, agreed with her: "Without fimdamental public health infrastructures in place, no country is stable," Haelle said.

News repotis from on the ground remained mixed. A Reuters story catTied by Canada's CBC and Huffington Post detailed WHO's assessment of an apparent slowdown in Liberia, a continued rise in Sien-a Leone and an apparent stabilization in Guinea. While The Daily Telegraph cmTied WHCVs evaluation that there had been more than 400 fe\ver deaths than previously thought in Sierra Leone, just the next day, Jeune Afrique disclosed WHO's finding that thousands of Ebola victims had been unofficially buried, owing to "famiEes fearing quarantine" or the prohibition of traditional nmcrals.

BURKINA FASO The situation in Burkina Faso continued to interest both the regional press and the broader international media this week, amid ongoing negotiations about the political way forward for the country in the wake of last week's departure of President Blaise Compaore after 27 years in power. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's dispatch of United Nations official Mohamed Ibn Chambas to try to help mediate a solution, his call for the peaceful restoration of constitutional order and his subsequent commendation of an apparent deal, all garnered attention. As the week ended, and the precise timetable for a shift to civilian rule remained unclear, the coverage became less optimistic, with the celebratory overtones seen in some Western outlets shifting to the uneasy wariness more typical in much of the African press.

Searching for a way forward i11 Ouagadougou Following the ousting of Compaore, press attention soon turned to the question of when the military might pull back and allow a restoration of civilian rule. AFP reported that following a violent crackdown on street protesters, the Burkinabe military said it was acting in the interests of the nation, adding "power does not interest us." Canada's CBC and The Daily Telegraph () were among those to note that Burkina Faso's major political parties had agreed to a year-long transition, followed by elections in November 2015. According to the New York Times, the country's fractious contenders agreed to the outlines of such a plan in part to avert African Union and United States sanctions. The Guardian (UK) stated that, •'in a sign of growing tensions" in Ouagadougou, the meeting with the opposition and others had "descended into chaos." Late-breaking news on Friday echoed this, with the BBC reporting that the military rulers had dismissed the African Union proposal and citing sources as saying that the military leaders "care much more about stability" than the threat of sanctions.

NMD/DPI Press Review, 7 November 2014 coverinz the period fr<•m 31 October - G November Page 2 of 5 In this context, UN statements and comments drew some. attention. Earlier in the week, AI Jazeera, online paper La Scmana and Vatican Radio were among numerous outlets to report Ban's call for an inclusive, civilian-led transition. Venezuela's TeleSur TV highlighted his concern about the impact the crisis may have both nationally and regionally. Agence d'lnformation du Burkina carried a Xinhua report that Ban had commended the efforts ofNigeria, Ghana and Senegal to find a solution. Near week's end, AP, the News Agency of Nigeria and NDTV (India) were among to many to repori on Ban's welcome of an agreement for a one-year transition leading to democratic elections. India's IANS news agency encapsulated the story under the headline "UN Chief Hails Civilian Rule Deal in Burkina .Faso."

During tl1e week the comments of Chambas, dispatched by the Secretary-General, also received some play. A widely picked-up Reuters story- including in South Africa's IOL and The Star of Malaysia­ reported that the UN was included in the delegation of African ptesidents talking to BurkinaFaso's new military leader about a civilian-led transition. and South Africa's CAJ News chimed in that a "joint mission" of the UN, AU and the Economic Community of West African States was taking steps to find peaceful solutions to the crisis. According to the BBC, Chambas made clear the military must allow a civilian transfer of power, or face international sanctions. Similar news stories detailing his comments ran in Ghana Web, the Nigerian Tribune (lbadan), Radio France Internationale, Deutsche Welle and on France 24 television.

The 27-year itch -not only a Burkinabe pltenommon Commentators wondered this week whether the events in Ouagadougou would have repercussions beyond the country. An editorial in Dubai 's Gulf News suggested that the removal of Compaore "could have far-reaching tipples intemally and regionally." An analysis by Reuters mused about whether "Africa's 'Black Spring' hopes may be premature," observing that several 'Big Men' rulers across the continent are approaching the end of their mandates amid concerns that they may try to cling to power. ''Not all African states can replicate Burkina .Faso's readiness for change," the article said. The Economist noted that even though ••teml limits have emerged as a hot issue" across Africa, the number of leaders who can afford to renounce even a pretence of democracy is shrinking. The article concluded that "few want their slogans - 'it's over for the regime,' and 'we do not want him again' - gracing placards elsewhere."

The South African and regional press was abuzz with speculation that the ouster could touch off similar movements in other countries where presidents have overstayed their welcome. The Sunday Independent applauded the "Burkinabe for finally taking a brave sentence against the way they have been misruled ... the message is loud and clear: the era of the strongman in Afi:ican politics is over." The Times in Johannesburg reckoned that the oppressed "are finding their voice and standing up to their leaders ... Similarly, Zimbabweans are now talking openly about their future." The New Age mitmred the forecast: "In countries like Zimbabwe ... a popular revolt is probably also the answer." In Rv;randa, the New Times wondered: "Could this be an example of an African solution to an African problem of leaders who 'overstay' in power?" In Vanguard (Nigeria), Is'haq Modibbo Kavvu asserted that "this is a sub-Saharan spring and it must continue against all presidents trying to hang on to power in Africa." Mathieu Olivier, writing in Jeune Afrique, remarked that "many Africans are less than a quarier of the age of those who govern. And many were not even born when they were elected."

Prognosis for tltefuture The press,_particularly within the region, were cautious about what lies ahead. In South Africa's Daily Maverick, Simon Allison pointed to Africa's poor post..:revolution track records. <'The odds of a success story ... are not in Burkina Paso's favour," Allison wrote. Likewise, a Vanguard editorial noted that "almost every African country with long-lasting dictatorships remains in ruination after the demi-gods

N!v!D I DPI f'ress Review, 7 November 2 01 4 C(lVering the period from 31 October ···· 6 November l'age 3 of 5 leave,'' adding that, if left "unchecked, [Burkina Faso] could be on its way to irredeemable collapse." In All Africa Global Media, Maggie Dwyer noted that mass demonstrations had always been "part and parcel of Burkina Faso's political culture," asserting that "if the country's future leaders want to succeed, they will have to be able to handle more of the same."

Western commentators were predominantly celebratory. In the \Vashington Post, Rachel Beatty Riedl opined that African transition processes now demonstrate "it is possible for well-organized, deeply­ entrenched authoritarian parties to be the building blocks for stable democratic competition." In Foreign Policy (US), Ken Opalo argued that "the most imp01tant lesson" is that "more and more, institutions do matter in African politics. And that is a very good thing." The Observer (UK) began its editorial thus: ''No more presidents for life in Africa- that is the message from Ouagadougou." In the Ottawa Citizen, Mohammed Adam considered the uprising to be "a warning to the 'presidents-for-life' in Africa that a new awakening sweeping the continent will soon catch up with them."

IPCCREPORT The release of the synthesis report of. the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change caused a media stir at the start of the week. An AP dispatch highlighted that the IPCC "answered the most important question on global watming --whether humans are causing ii ·····with 95 per cent cettainty: Yes." Many of the report's messages were carried widely, including that of the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The trend in coverage was generally upbeat, although commentators were divided about the balance between the positive signs and residual fears about where the world \>vas headed. National Geographic (US) outlined "·five key takeaways," saying that "if 'Copenhagen' has become a synonym fbr 'debacle' in the community of climate negotiators, '' has become the glimmer ofhope."

Time is not on our side Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's assertions that "leaders must act" and "time is not on om side" rang out globally- ineluding in the New Zealand Herald, Venezuela's TeleSur TV and US News & World Report. The coverage by the BBC included a video of Ban delivering his remarks, while the Morning Herald captured the thrust under its headline "IPCC rep01t: Little time left to act on climate change." The Herald (Scotland) focused on the UN chiefs point "that if we act now, immediately and decisively, we have the means to build a better and more sustainable world." At the same time, a host of others referred to what they called the "dire situation" (US News & World Report), the report's "fhghtening findings" (The Guardian, UK) and the "severe, pervasive and irreversible damage" (Australia's SBS) that was likely. The website of Al.Tazeera canied a column by activist Nick Filimore in which he lamented: "While UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon sounds like he is in charge of a solid campaign for change, he's really a concerned cheerleader."

Key UN messages reverberated in the coverage of the repo1t's release. "LJN: phase out fossil fuels by 2100 or face 'ineversible' climate impact" ran a Time magazine headline decoding the IPCC's warning that the cost of fighting climate change would only climb if greenhouse gas emissions were not reduced as soon as possible, The BBC zeroed in on the same message that «unrestricted use of fossil fuels should be phased out by 2100." CNN explained that the report aimed to guide world leaders as the UN attempted.to work out an emissions-limiting treaty.

Some outlets viewed the report from a development perspective. The New York Times underscored that climate change risks were so profound tl1at tl1ey could stall or even reverse generations of progress against poverty and hunger if greenhouse emissions continued "at a runavvay pace." The Economic Times (India) conveyed that as India's development imperatives determine its climate policies, "the report provides a solution that allows it to meet its development goals in a manner that is not inimical to

NMD/DPl Press Review, 7 November 2014 covering the period from 31 October ···· 6 November Psge4of5

.·. "······"······-··"··"·· ·'··-·" -~ ·· ..-. addressing climate change." Similarly, The Guardian, AI Jazeera and the Christian Science Monitor were among outlets that underscored the positive news that solutions were available and affordable. Separately, the Washington Post f1aggcd that a dropped section of the report tried to specify other measmes indicating whether we are entering a danger zone of profound climate impact, and just how dramatic emissions cuts will have to be to avoid crossing that threshold.

A sense of dejt't vu The report seemed to re-ignite the two sides of the climate debate. US business website Triple.Pundit insisted that "if the deniers prevail and we do nothing, and they turn out to be wrong, the consequences could be devastating beyond our ability to imagine, which is what the vast majority of scientists are saying." On the other side, Kenneth Green warned in the Vancouver Sun that "the UN would hike energy prices worldwide, perpetuating energy poverty for billions of people, and debilitating the few bright economic engines left in the world. It's a prescription far worse than the disease." ln Slate online magazine, Eric Holthaus compared the findings with those of a report done decades ago, saying: "If 1 had a time machine and could interview the scientists who vvTote the 1990 repoti and ask them where they thought we'd be by now, I'd guess that not a single one of them would have expected we'd have waited this long to address the problem." * * *

NMD/DPI Press Review, 7 November 2014 covering the period from 31 October- 6 November f'age 5 of 5 ..

Fw: DPI Weekly Press Review and Cover Note -7 November 2014 SGCentra! to: Hazel Foster 07111/2014 05:14PM Sent by: Margaret King

-----Forwarded by Margaret King/NY/UNO on 07111/2014 05:14PM-----

From: Rania Abdulrahman/NY/UNO To: SGCentrai/NY/UNO@UNHQ, Cc: Silvia Gaymer/NY/UNO@UNHQ, Sophia Williamson/NY/UNO@UNHQ, Janice Willingston/NY/UNO@UNHQ, Charlotte Boje/NY/UNO@UNHQ Date: 07/11/2014 04:53PM Subject: DPI Weekly Press Review and Cover Note - 7 November 2014

Dear Colleagues,

Please find attached the DPI Weekly Press Review and Cover Note.

-"A.4,. DPI Weekly Press Review, 7 Nov 2014.pdf

Note 7 Nov 2014.docx Press Review 7 Nov 2014.doc

Regards,

Rania Abdulrahman Office of the Under-Secretary-General Department of Public Information United Nations, New York Tel: 1 (917) 367-3990 Email: [email protected] Office#: S-1 010