United Nations

Definition

The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945, aimed at promoting peace, security, and cooperation among its member states. It serves as a platform for countries to address global challenges, including humanitarian issues, human rights, and sustainable development, making it an essential player in global governance and data journalism narratives.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The UN has 193 member states, making it one of the most representative organizations in the world.
2. It has six main organs: the General Assembly, the Security Council, the International Court of Justice, the Secretariat, the Economic and Social Council, and the Trusteeship Council.
3. The UN plays a crucial role in data journalism by providing access to vast amounts of global data on issues such as poverty, health, education, and climate change.
4. Data collected by the UN helps journalists highlight critical stories that can influence public opinion and policy decisions worldwide.
5. The UN's emphasis on transparency encourages nations to report their data accurately, which is vital for effective narrative journalism.

Review Questions

• How does the United Nations contribute to global data journalism efforts?
  • The United Nations contributes to global data journalism by providing access to extensive datasets that cover various issues such as health, education, and climate change. Journalists can utilize this data to create informed narratives that raise awareness and inform public opinion on critical global challenges. By supporting transparency and data accuracy among member states, the UN enhances the quality of information available for journalists to report on.
• Evaluate the impact of the Sustainable Development Goals on narrative journalism related to global issues.
  • The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have significantly impacted narrative journalism by framing key global issues within a structured agenda. Journalists use the SDGs as benchmarks for reporting progress or setbacks in areas like poverty alleviation, education, and health. This framework allows reporters to provide context and accountability in their stories, encouraging governments to act on commitments made to achieve these goals while informing the public about ongoing efforts.
• Assess how the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights influence reporting practices in narrative journalism.
  • The Universal Declaration of Human Rights influences reporting practices by establishing a set of ethical standards that journalists must consider when covering human rights issues. This document serves as a guideline for responsible reporting, urging journalists to highlight violations and advocate for accountability. By grounding their narratives in these principles, journalists not only inform audiences but also play a role in promoting justice and awareness around human rights abuses worldwide.

Related terms

Sustainable Development Goals: A set of 17 global goals established by the UN in 2015 to address various social, economic, and environmental challenges by 2030.

Peacekeeping Operations: UN missions that deploy personnel to conflict zones to help maintain peace and security, often involving monitoring ceasefires and protecting civilians.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights: A milestone document adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1948, outlining fundamental human rights that should be universally protected.