United Nations calls for journalist access amid new U.S. visa restrictions

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has advocated for policies that allow the maximum number of international journalists to enter the United States. This comes in response to new visa restrictions implemented by the U.S. government aimed at limiting the stay of foreign correspondents.

The new regulations seek to cap the stay of foreign media professionals at 240 days. For journalists of Chinese nationality, this limit is further reduced to 90 days. These measures, which are set to take effect on September 15, replace the previous 'duration of status' system that allowed many I-visa holders to remain in the country for several years as long as they maintained their employment with media organizations.

UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric noted that while countries have the right to decide their own visa policies, the UN hopes the U.S. will facilitate the entry of journalists, particularly those needed to cover UN activities. The Committee to Protect Journalists has also criticized the measures.