International Criminal Court launches video channel on YouTube

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is launching today its official YouTube channel, to make information on the Court and its activities more accessible, and bring it closer to the general public. The use of YouTube is the first step of new communication efforts that will guarantee more diverse and transparent ways of bringing developments about the ICC to the world.

The video channel allows viewers to follow in particular the various cases before the ICC, thanks to weekly, uploaded summaries of the proceedings under the title In the Courtroom. The playlist In the Field includes Court outreach activities conducted in situation-related countries. Also available are the popular programmes, Ask the Court with responses to frequently asked questions, and at Meeting the Press, conferences and briefings with journalists. Other Court related events and activities can also be found on the channel including, swearing-in ceremonies of elected officials and the welcoming of new States Parties to the Rome Statute. Videos are produced in English, French and Arabic.

The first ICC channel on YouTube began as a pilot project in August, 2008. With more than 10,000 views in the first six months it has proven to be a great success, and has enhanced the Court’s visibility and communications reach. With additional content and an improved organisation of videos, the new ICC YouTube channel is more user-friendly. It also provides added background information on the content. Subscribers to the ICC YouTube channel will receive automatic updates of new videos regularly produced and uploaded by the ICC Public Information and Documentation Section.

In the upcoming months the Court will continue developing its online communications, utilizing amongst others, new media tools such us Flickr, for posting and downloading photos, and the social networking tool, Twitter, to send real-time updates on the Court and Court officials’ activities. These new ICC online services will complement information currently available on the Court’s website, which continues to be the main source of official information for the general public.

• ICC YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/user/IntlCriminalCourt
• ICC website: www.icc-cpi.int

For further information, please contact Ms Sonia Robla, Head of the Public Information and Documentation Section at +31 (0)70 515 8089 or (mobile) +31 (0)6 46 44 87 26; or at [email protected]