World Press Freedom Day

Media were among the first to incorporate AI algorithms into their workflows since they were consistently seeking ways to enhance the quality, quantity, and speed of their publications. This insight offers an overview of the opportunities, challenges, and risks that twenty-first-century journalists encounter when utilizing AI in their profession. It discusses various aspects of the media landscape, including traditional satellite broadcasting and alternative media, while exploring different genres of journalism, ranging from investigative to socio-political. The research draws on materials from Arab, European, and Russian scholars, as well as the author’s personal experiences working for an international television channel. The insight also offers recommendations for enhancing the application of AI in journalism , which can be implemented by companies involved in AI development. This study may prove beneficial for journalism students, seasoned journalists, and anyone interested in g...

This year's World Press Freedom Day aims to explore AI's impact on press freedom and the right to freedom of expression , as well as addressing the continued relevance of Information as a Public Good as in the Windhoek+30 Declaration of 2021 ,which has been endorsed with unanimity by UNESCO General Conference. The media landscape has changed significantly since the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed World Press Freedom Day in 1993. The unprecedented use and development of Artificial Intelligence systems are playing a transformative role in journalism and the media, and on press freedom.While the principles of free, independent, and pluralistic media remain crucial, AI's impact on information gathering, processing, and dissemination is profound, presenting both innovative opportunities and profound challenges. AI offers the potential to enhance freedom of expression by democratizing access to information, empowering global communication, and changing the realit...

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the fundamental right to seek, impart and receive information , as well as the journalistic profession . It enhances access to information and processing of it , enabling journalists to handle and process vast amounts of data efficiently and create content more effectively. AI tools can improve fact-checking, data visualization, local and multi-platform adaptation of news content and its translation, streamlining the journalistic process and making information more engaging and accessible. AI also presents risks . It can be used to reproduce misinformation , spread disinformation , amplify online hate speech, and enable ne w forms of censorship . Some actors use AI for mass surveillance of journalists and citizens , creating a chilling effect on freedom of expression. Private platforms increasingly use AI to filter, moderate, and curate content, becoming gatekeepers of information.There's a growing concern that AI might contribute to...

Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents both opportunities and challenges for women journalists. AI can support victims of gender-based violence by streamlining reporting tools and enhancing fairness in digital spaces. These advancements could reduce barriers to reporting abuse and enable faster responses. AI also amplifies existing risks for women journalists in the digital landscape . The UN Commission on the Status of Women has identified technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) as a critical global issue, particularly affecting women in public-facing roles like journalism. AI systems can generate deep-fakes, doctored images, and mis/disinformation campaigns aimed at discrediting or intimidating women journalists. These AI-driven attacks jeopardize their safety but also have a chilling effect on their work, potentially limiting public access to information .

AI offers media outlets tools to increase efficiency through task automation, helping newsrooms meet growing demands and remain competitive. However, the financial sustainability of media is becoming more fragile as generative AI platforms repurpose journalistic content without proper compensation, diverting revenue from independent outlets to digital platforms and to AI actors. Among the issues being discussed is fair remuneration for content used by AI systems , with copyright enforcement mechanisms and fair revenue-sharing models. Media outlets are facing how to balance AI use with maintaining good practices and audience trust and engagement . Many have issued codes of conduct stressing respect for audience data, content authenticity, AI use disclosure, transparency, and information integrity.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)  is increasingly influencing the integrity of elections , offering tools for fact-checking and combating disinformation while empowering journalists and voters to promote informed democratic participation . However, it poses risks, as generative AI enables the creation of misleading content like deep-fakes, undermining trust in democratic institutions . Addressing these challenges requires collaboration among governments, media, and civil society.

On May 6, 2025. From 17:00 – 18:30; A parallel event entitled ''Media Viability, Visibility and Vigilance in the Age of Big Tech." Organizers: OSCE , FID Venue: Swiss Embassy, Pl. du Luxembourg 1, 1050 Brussels Contact: Julia Haas

On May 6, 2025; From 16:00 – 18:00; A parallel event entitled ''L'IA au service de l’intégrité de l’information et de la paix." Organizer: Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) Venue: Centre BOZAR, Salle Rotonde Suzanne Bertouille (Brussels) Register here Contact: Shelina Scaravelli

On May 6, 2025; From 16:00 – 17:30; A parallel event entitled: "Supporting Journalism under Severe Political Pressure: The Challenges and Opportunities. Organizer: OSCE Venue: Le Poste, Place du Jeu de Balle 62, 1000 Brussels Contact: Aidar Botagarov

On May 6, 2025; From 15:00 – 17:00; A parallel event entitled '' Building Resilient Newsrooms - Developing Protocols to Protect the Safety of Journalists." Organizer: IWMF , supported by UNESCO's International Programme for the Development of Communication Venue: Visit Brussels rue Royale 2-4, 1000 Brussels Register here Contact: Nadine Hoffman

On May 6, 2025; From 14:30 – 16:30; A parallel event entitled ''Stop killing of journalists in the world's deadliest war zones." Organizer: International Federation of Journalists . Venue: Résidence Palace (Polak Room) Register here . Contact: IFJ .

On May 6, 2025; From 14:00 - 17:30; A parallel event entitled '' Disinformation: impact and challenges in a fast changing world." Organizer: Flanders Chancellery and Foreign Office Venue: Flemish Parliament More information here

On May 6, 2025; From 14:00 – 15:00, Launch of Worlds of Journalism Study Global Index on Journalists' Safety. Organizer: Worlds of Journalism Study and University of Liverpool . Venue: Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Free University of Brussels) Register here Contact: Dr Vera Slavtcheva-Petkova

On May 6, 2025; From 12:00 - 14:00, A parallel event entitled ''Disinformation in elections, AI and its impact on reporting.'' Organizer: Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Venue: Av. de Cortenbergh 71, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium Register here Contact: Patrick Reiland

On May 6, 2025; From 10:30 - 12:30, Global launch of the 2025 UNDP Human Development Report: A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of AI Organizer: UNDP European Union . Venue: Palais des Académies / Paleis der Academiën, Rue Ducale 1, 1000 Brussels. Register here .

On May 6, 2025; From 9:45 – 11:15; A parallel event entitled ''Environmental journalism in the age of generative AI: Augmented Ethical Journalism vs. AI-Driven Climate Dis-/Misinformation." Organizers: Reporters without Borders , Fundacion para la Libertad de Prensa (FLIP) , Cartooning for Peace Venue: Institut des Hautes Études des Communications sociales - École de Journalisme de Bruxelles Contact: Paul Pouchoux

On May 6, 2025; From 9:00 – 11:00; A parallel event entitled ''The Critical Roles of Journalists and Scientists in times of Information Crisis and Planetary Emergency.'' Organizers: Denmark Delegation to UNESCO . Venue: Residence Palace, International Press Centre Salon, rue de la Loi 155, 1040 Brussels. Contact: Malene Nielsen .

On May 6, 2025; Launch of the Toolkit on the Implementation of the OECD Development Co-operation Principles for Relevant and Effective Support to Media and the Information Environment (by invitation only) Organizers:  Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) , TED Network Venue: GIZ office

On May 5, 2025. From 16:00 - 18:00, A parallel event entitled ''DSA Human Rights Alliance strategic workshop: global protection of digital rights and communities at risk." Organizers: Access Now , Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) Venue: Digital Rights Hub (Access Now Brussels Office), Rue Belliard 12, 1040, Brussels. Contact: Eliška Pírková , Christoph Schmon .

On May 5, 2025 from 14:00-16:00; A parallel event entitled ''Addressing SLAPPs as an increasing threat to media freedom and public interest journalism in Europe." Organizers: Hosted by civil society Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE) , OHCHR Regional Office for Europe and the Council of Europe . Venue: Press Club Brussels. Public event but registration required (link to be provided). It’s time to reclaim the shame. It’s time to strip away the facade of legal respectability and expose the aggressive bully tactics underneath. It’s time to show the faces of some of the worst legal bullies in Europe.  WELCOME TO THE GALLERY OF SHAME

  On May 5, 2025 from 14:00 – 15:30; A parallel event entitled '' Information battlefield: digital warfare, censorship and risks to women journalists in conflict.'' Organizers: Article 19 , OHCHR Sudan , OHCHR Palestine . Contact: Silvia Chocarro. Please note that due to high demand, the venue has reached full capacity and registration is now officially closed.

On May 5, 2025 from 12:30 - 13:45; a Parallel event entitled ''Crackdown on Press Freedom Amidst Global Autocracy.'' Organizer: Committee to Protect Journalists Venue: Press Club Brussels | Rue Froissart 95, 1040 Bruxelles, Belgium Register here Contact: Gypsy Guillén Kaiser

On May 5, 2025 from 11:00-12:30; Parallel event entitled ''Access to Information and Media Pluralism in the face of AI and Power Concentration." Organizers: OHCHR and OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media. Venue: UN House Boulevard du Régent 37-40, 1000 Brussels. More information:  Panel Discussion . Contact: Renaud de Villaine .

  Tuesday, 6 th  May 2025; Arrival and networking (tea and coffee provided):  1330 – 1400; Presentation and Panel Discussion:  1400 – 1530. Location:  Egmont Palace, Brussels, Belgium. Journalists should be able to rely on the law to protect them against threats and attacks – but increasingly, laws are being used to suppress independent journalism, including laws that have little to do with freedom of expression. Building on the ongoing work of the Media Freedom Coalition, a partnership of governments that promotes media freedom alongside civil society organisations, a panel of legal experts, and UNESCO, this session will ask: how can governments and other actors promote accountability for crimes against journalists, and fair trials when journalists themselves are charged with crimes? The session will feature case studies of initiatives such as trial monitoring by embassy representatives, recent research into a proposed international task force to investigate c...

On May 5, 2025; From 10:00 – 12:00. A Coordination meeting for members of the Media Freedom Coalition’s Consultative Network (by invitation only) Organizer: Media Freedom Coalition Media freedom is an integral element of democracy, human rights, global security and prosperity.

    On May 5, 2025; From 9:30 – 11:30; Roundtable on gender and intersectional approaches to the safety of Journalists. Organizers: Article 19 , Global Affairs Canada , Media Freedom Rapid Response , Association of European Journalists Belgium . Venue: Embassy of Canada, Av. des Arts 58, 1000 Brussels. Register here

SPEAK FREELY, LISTEN RESPECTFULLY,DIFFERENT OPINIONS MATTER. Difference Day saw the light in 2015, ten years ago. Difference Day 2025 is celebrating its first decennium with a festive edition that will take place at Bozar on Friday 2 May 2025 - a day before the World Press Freedom Day. The theme of the event is 'Speak Freely, Listen Respectfully, Different Opinions Matter': the general heading under which Difference Day first took the stage. Difference Day always takes place on World Press Freedom Day, which was declared by the United Nations in 1993 to raise awareness of the importance of press freedom and remind governments to respect their duty to uphold the right to freedom of expression. In 2025, Difference Day therefore continues to honour people, institutions and organisations that make a difference in propagating and promoting freedom of expression, but without absolutising it. Register to participate!

"After losing my leg in the war, I returned to photojournalism not just for work, but because I have loved photography since childhood," said Palestinian reporter Sami Shahada. Mr. Shahada lost his leg due to a severe injury he suffered in Nuseirat in central Gaza in April 2024, but he picked up his camera and returned to document the tragic events that have been unfolding in Gaza. He will not let his disability stop him from working. “It is impossible for me to leave photojournalism, even if I face all these obstacles,” he said. Ahead of World Press Freedom Day marked annually on 3 May which focuses on the role of media to highlight accountability, justice, equality, and human rights, our UN News correspondent in Gaza spoke with Palestinian journalists, documenting the risks and personal traumas they face reporting from the war-torn enclave. Since the war began following the 7 October 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel an increasing number of journalists have been killed or inj...

May 6, 2025 - From 17:15 - 19:30; Parallel event entitled '' Freedom of Expression, AI and Elections." Organizers: UNESCO Liaison Office in Brussels , UNDP European Union | Interpretation: English, Spanish Venue: Square Brussels Convention Center . Contact: Albertina Piterbarg . Link to register here .

May 6, 2025 - From 17:00 – 19:30; Parallel event entitled ''Artistic Freedom and Creativity: Navigating the Age of AI in a Volatile World." Organizers: UNESCO , with the support of the UNESCO-Aschberg Programme for Artists and Cultural Professionals (funded by the government of Norway), in collaboration with On the Move . Venue: BIP Meeting Center . Contact: Rosario Soraide . More information here Link to register link

May 6, 2025 - From 16:30 – 18:00; Parallel event entitled ''AI and Information Integrity: Governance approaches to promote trust and innovation." Organizers: UNESCO Liaison office in Brussels , OECD . Venue: Square Brussels Convention Center  , The Arc Auditorium, 3rd floor. Contact: Lucas Novaes . Link to register here

May 6, 2025 - From 14:00 – 16:00; Parallel event entitled ''Responding to Hate Campaigns in Elections, a Masterclass for Journalists." Organizer: UNESCO Liaison Office in Brussels. Venue: Square Brussels Convention Center , The Arc Auditorium, 3rd floor.  Contact : Dissarantir Tovikkai . Link to register here

May 6, 2025 - From 13:30 – 15:30; Parallel event entitled "Gen-AI and media self-regulation in Southeast Europe." Organizer: UNESCO Southeast Europe Antenna Office , Reporters without Borders , Journalism Trust Initiative . Venue: Square Brussels Convention Center . Registration - closed event- Contact: Joshua Massarenti

May 6, 2025 - From 9:45 – 12:00, Parallel event entitled ''Protecting Critical Voices – Guidance for Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA) on Digital Platforms." Organizers: UNESCO, OHCHR Venue: Square Brussels Convention Center  , The Arc Auditorium, 3rd floor. Contact: Ophelie Leger . Link to register here  

May 6, 2025 - From 09:30 - 11:00 (coffee/tea as of 9.00 am) Panel discussion entitled '' Donor Drought and News Deserts : Towards Joint Solutions to the Global Funding Crisis of Independent Media." Organizers: UNESCO, DW Akademie, International Fund for Public Interest Media , Thomson Reuters Foundation , and Global Forum for Media Development. Venue: BIP Meeting center, Salle des Guichets. Rue Royale 2/4, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium. Register here . Contact: Saorla McCabe , Lucie Gürtler .

May 6, 2025 - From 17:00 – 19:00; Parallel event entitled ''Artificial intelligence and journalism - How media are covering and using AI in Latin America." Organizers: Asociación de Entidades Periodísticas Argentinas (ADEPA) , Fundación para la Libertad de Prensa (FLIP) , International Fund for Public Interest Media (IFPIM) , Momentum – Journalism and Tech Task Force and UNESCO Montevideo Office | Interpretation: English, Spanish Venue: Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, rue de Taciturne 38 Contact: Rosa Maria Gonzalez Link to register here Link to programme in English and Spanish