World Press Freedom Day

Across Latin America, journalists and communicators strengthen democracy and foster peace, with support from the UN Development Programme (UNDP). One such initiative is Ama Llulla in Peru – meaning “you shall not lie” in Quechua – which was launched in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and a tense electoral period. Promoted by UNDP and coordinated by the media outlet Ojo Público, the project brings together more than 20 local and digital media organizations. Using technological tools and artificial intelligence (AI), the network verifies information and translates it into Indigenous languages, including Quechua Collao, Quechua Chanka and Asháninka.  Read more about the initiative! 

Media freedom is not a given and its absence frequently leaves communities and vulnerable individuals in danger. To mark World Press Freedom Day , we’ll be hearing from UN agencies, along with war correspondents and reporters who face major obstacles trying to do their job. The aim is to get a better understanding about what press freedom means in practice and why it is worth defending.

  "People often say that in war, truth is the first casualty. But far too frequently, the first casualties are the journalists who risk everything to report that truth – not only in war, but wherever those in power fear scrutiny. Across the globe, media workers risk censorship, surveillance, legal harassment – and even death. Recent years have seen a sharp rise in the number of journalists killed – often deliberately targeted – in war zones. Eighty-five percent of the crimes committed against journalists go uninvestigated and unpunished: an unacceptable level of impunity. Economic pressures, new technologies, and active manipulation are also putting press freedom under unprecedented strain. When access to reliable information erodes, mistrust takes root. When public debate is distorted, social cohesion weakens. And when journalism is undermined, crises become far more difficult to prevent and resolve. All freedom depends on press freedom. Without it, there can be no human rights,...

Afghanistan Event: Commemorating World Press Freedom Day in Kabul Organizer: Afghan Journalists Date: 3 May 2026. Description: A gathering bringing together journalists and media stakeholders to promote press freedom, discuss key challenges, and encourage dialogue on improving the media environment in Afghanistan. Type of meeting: In Person. Audience type: Closed meeting. Location: Kabul, Afghanistan.

The idea of marking Press Freedom Day emerged amid the broader struggle for the existence of free and independent media in Africa. In 1991, journalists gathered in Windhoek, Namibia, creating the Windhoek Declaration which declares that a free press is critical for the democratic and sustainable development of society . The text stresses that when media are controlled or censored, the truth does not reach citizens, increasing inequality and authoritarianism . This idea eventually caught the attention of the United Nations General Assembly , which declared World Press Freedom Day on 3 May , the Anniversary of the date when the Windhoek Declaration was adopted .

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 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 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 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 9:00 – 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 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...