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...

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 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; 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 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 .

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 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

  May 5, 2025 - From 14:00 – 18:00; Global multi-stakeholder workshop on Empowering Digital Content Creators as News Relays for Information Integrity - closed event- Organizer: UNESCO Venue: BIP Meeting Center Contact: Adeline Hulin

May 5, 2025- from 10:30 – 12:00; Parallel event entitled ''Safeguarding Information Integrity in Times of Crisis: Lessons and Future Directions from the UNESCO-EU Partnership '' Organizer: UNESCO, European Union Venue: BIP Meeting Center Contact: Adeline Hulin More info: here Link to register here

  May 5, 2025 - From 9:00 – 17:00  - World Press Freedom Day Academic Conference . Organizers: UNESCO, Erasmushogeschool Brussel (EhB) Venue: Erasmushogeschool Brussel – Kanal Campus  Programme here Contact: John Bosco Mayiga

  Programme of the World Press Freedom Day Signature Event - 7 May 2025 9:30 - 10:45 - Registration Registration and badge pick up at BOZAR. Networking Breakfast 11:00 - 12:05 - Opening Session High Level Opening Address  H.E. Ms. Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-GeneralVideo-Message from United Nations Secretary-General,  H.E. Mr. Antonio Guterres Ms. Dubravka Šuica, EU Commissioner for Mediterranean [TBC] Mr. Rob Beenders, Minister of Consumer Protection, the fight against Social Fraud, Persons with Disabilities and Equal Opportunities, Belgium Ms. Cieltje Van Achter, Flemish Minister of Brussels and Media Ms. Elisabeth Degryse, Minister-President of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation Video-Message from   Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, European Commission Master of ceremony:  Annelies Beck, Moderator and Presenter, VRT Show Part 1 Godparents of AI ” - Video contribution by Yoshua Bengio, Turing Award W...