Victor EzejaUnited Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has highlighted the importance of a free and independent journalism to the public good.
In his message on the occasion of the 2025 World Press Freedom Day, Guterres stated that freedom for people depends on freedom of the press. He stressed that everybody loses if journalists are unable to work because of a lack of press freedom.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelHe said journalists everywhere in the world must be able to report freely without fear or favour.
His words: “World press freedom highlights a fundamental truth. Freedom for people depends on freedom of the press. Free and independent journalism is an essential public good. It’s the backbone of accountability, justice, equality and human rights.
“Journalists everywhere must be able to report freely and without fear or favor. When journalists are unable to work, we all lose.”
Guterres expressed concerns that press freedom today faces an unprecedented threat. He highlighted the challenges that journalists face in the line of duty, such as attacks, detentions, censorship, intimidation, violence and even death, simply for doing their jobs.
“We are seeing a sharp rise in the number of journalists killed in conflict areas, particularly in Gaza.
And now, as this year’s theme reminds us, press freedom faces an unprecedented threat,” Guterres stated.
Reflecting on the theme of this year’s World Press Freedom Day- “Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media,” Guterres noted that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can support freedom of expression or stifle it.
According to him, “Biased algorithms, outright lies, and hate speech are landmines on the Internet.
“Accurate, verifiable, and fact-based information is the best tool to defuse them.”
The UN Secretary General stated that the Global Digital Compact, which was established last year, includes tangible actions to increase international collaboration to promote information integrity, tolerance, and respect in the digital environment, and that AI should be fashioned in a way that is consistent with human rights and prioritises facts.
“The Global Principles for Information Integrity I launched last year, are supporting and informing this work as we push for a more humane information ecosystem.
“On this World Press Freedom Day, let’s commit to making this a reality and safeguarding press freedom and the press everywhere,” he added.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
