Press Corps
The United States press is sometimes called the unofficial “fourth branch” of government because of its presence
in and influence on US politics. The press is meant to both inform readers and express opinions on important social
and political issues. The press can also be a watchdog, keeping politicians accountable to their constituents and
ensuring that no act goes unnoticed. Reporters have tremendous influence over how a political figure or event is
framed to the public, and many publications have been accused of being either liberally or conservatively biased.
Moreover, the press seeks to find the most recent and compelling news stories, which often requires digging beyond
the surface, uncovering scandals and top-secret documents along the way.
The Press Corps at HMCE
The HMCE press corps publishes The HMCE Times, a daily newspaper that keeps a pulse on the progress of the conference,
reporting on breaking news and happenings. Published once or twice each day, the paper keeps students up to date on
the activities of their fellow delegates and informs all participants of the current political climate. Students are
assigned press beats, reporting on new developments in each committee and providing news analysis to help delegates
understand the myriad of issues discussed at the conference. In addition to writing feature articles and editorials,
reporters will engage in thought-provoking debates on the cultivation of sources and journalistic ethics and integrity.
In the press corps, students receive some of the most hands-on interaction with staff in the entire conference. A
staff member sits down to edit articles with their writers, explaining the reasons for each necessary change. As in
actual reporting, the press committee is a fast-paced world in which delegates will learn how to quickly research and
create a clear and informative article.
For more details, see the 2010 Guide to the Press Corps.
2010 Staff and Topics
Committee Chair:
Daina Anhalt
Committee Vice Chair:
Parijat Samant
Note: The Press Corps does not discuss pre-assigned topics like many program committees; rather, its members
observe and interact with political figures from all other committees to report the news and offer opinions.
Committee message board:
http://hmce.activeboard.com
Relevant Links
Use these links to get to know some of the major press outlets that have an impact on politics in the United States and around the world.