UN marks 30th anniversary of Press Freedom Day

With 86 journalists killed in 2022 and 85% of the world experiencing a decline in press freedom it comes as no surprise that an overarching theme of the United Nations (UN) opening ceremony to commemorate the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day was the threats facing the news media industry worldwide.

The opening ceremony was held at the General Assembly Hall in New York on 2 May. According to the UN’s official website, World Press Freedom Day has been observed on 3 May every year since 1993 to promote the significance of press freedom and remind governments of their responsibility to uphold the right to freedom of expression.The day also serves as an opportunity to assess the state of press freedom globally, celebrate the principles of press freedom, and pay homage to journalists who have died while performing their duties.

In a video message at the opening ceremony UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, “In every corner of the world, freedom of the press is under attack”, stressing the importance of press freedom as a fundamental human right crucial for upholding democracy and promoting transparency.

This year, the focus of World Press Freedom Day is on the connection between press freedom and human rights, highlighting the need for greater protection for journalists in the face of growing challenges to their safety and independence.

“This day highlights a basic truth: all our freedom depends on press freedom. Freedom of the press is the foundation of democracy and justice. It gives all of us the facts we need to shape opinions and speak truth to power,” Guterres said. 

Audrey Azoulay, director-general of UNESCO said that 2022 was the “deadliest year” for journalists. According to Azoulay, 86 journalists were killed, mainly outside war zones, and hundreds more were attacked or imprisoned.

According to the 2021/2022 report on freedom of expression and media development by UNESCO, approximately 85% of the world’s population experienced a decline in press freedom in their countries over the past five years.

Azoulay also highlighted the challenges that journalists face in the digital era. The proliferation of disinformation and conspiracy theories on the internet made it difficult for journalists to provide accurate information and engage in informed public debates. 

Arthur Sulzberge, chairman and publisher of The New York Times, pointed out that technology has given rise to an abundance of misinformation, propaganda, and sensationalist content that often overrides credible journalism and leads to a decrease in public trust.

According to the UNESCO report there is a global decline in public trust in the news media. The report quotes Joseph Stiglitz: “Information is a public good … and as a public good, it needs public support.” 

A lack of trust in the news media is problematic in that “people who have less trust in traditional news media are more likely to turn to alternative sources and to be vulnerable to misinformation and disinformation”.

According to the 2023 Edelman Trust Barometer, “South Africans appear divided regarding the credibility of the media. 46% believe the media is a reliable source of trustworthy information, while 37% believe the media is a source of false or misleading information.”

Sulzberger also emphasised the close relationship between a free press and a healthy democracy. He pointed out that many authoritarian regimes have used censorship and attacks on journalists to gain control of information and consolidate power. 

The full address and panel discussion that followed can be accessed here.