How the Chaos Began

The erosion of media integrity and empathy has devastated human rights and is undermining democracy.

The integrity of media was a key element in the post-World-War-II edifice of international rule of law. But over the past thirty years, the accelerating decline in media integrity and empathy – which began with the demonization of refugees and migrants before bleeding into other areas of discrimination and vilification – has had serious political consequences. It has fertilised the rise of far-right parties, and fed a polarised discourse that is no longer motivated by a desire for better policies and governance, but by a ruthless quest for political and financial advantage. The ‘international rules-based order’, rooted in human rights, which was so painstakingly constructed in the wake of World War II and the Holocaust, has been unravelled before our eyes, and there is now no alternative architecture conceived to take its place. Strong and serious media, committed to fact-based news and prepared to speak truth to power, are an essential element of democracy but are in increasingly short supply.

After 15 years as a spokesman for the UN refugee agency, starting out during the war in Bosnia, the Rwanda genocide and the rise of the Taliban, and a further 14 years with the UN human rights office, Rupert Colville has had first-hand experience of some of the best and worst journalism in relation to refugees and human rights, and a front-seat view of the sharp decline in ethical standards in both the mainstream ‘legacy’ press and social media.

Join us for what promises to be a frank and timely talk as part of our Alumni Weekend.

Rupert Colville

From 2008 to 2022, Rupert Colville was the Spokesperson and Head of Media for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, covering virtually all the major conflicts and human rights dramas across the world, including Israel/Palestine, Syria, Ukraine, Sudan, Russia, China, the US, and the rise of populism and xenophobia in Western Europe.

Prior to that, he spent 16 years with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), as a spokesperson covering at various times the Middle East, North Africa, South and Central Asia and Europe. He was on the frontline during several major international emergencies, including the 1999 Kosovo conflict, two earthquakes and the post 9/11 conflict in Afghanistan and the 2003 Iraq war. He also served as the editor of UNHCR’s first book-style report, the State of the World’s Refugees (1993), and as its Head of Publications. In all, during his UN career, he visited more than 60 countries and met with numerous presidents, prime ministers, kings and government ministers, as well as many refugees and victims of human rights violations. He gave thousands of interviews to major international and local media organizations and conducted hundreds of press briefings in Geneva and the field.

Before joining the UN, Rupert taught at the American University in Cairo and produced the UK/US edition of a French photography magazine called ZOOM. He was born in 1960 and has a BA and MA in English Language and Literature from the University of Oxford. He is connected to Churchill College via his father, who helped found the College, and his son, who completed his BA there.

Entry is free but booking is essential using our form. Please note that this event is part of our Alumni Weekend programme, however, you are most welcome to book to attend even if not attending other events at Churchill across the weekend. The University is also advertising this talk as part of their Alumni Festival, but alumni are only to required to book once, whether through the College or University.