United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres issued a stark warning on World Press Freedom Day, highlighting the growing dangers faced by journalists worldwide and calling for stronger protections to safeguard press freedom.
In a message marking the annual observance, Guterres said that while truth is often described as the first casualty of war, journalists themselves are increasingly among the earliest victims. He stressed that media workers are not only at risk in conflict zones but also in environments where those in power seek to avoid scrutiny.
“Across the globe, media workers face censorship, surveillance, legal harassment — and even death,” Guterres said, pointing to a sharp rise in the number of journalists killed in recent years, many of whom were deliberately targeted while reporting from war zones.
The UN chief also drew attention to the widespread impunity surrounding crimes against journalists, noting that 85 percent of such cases go uninvestigated and unpunished. He described this as an “unacceptable level of impunity” that undermines accountability and emboldens further attacks.
Beyond physical threats, Guterres warned that economic pressures, emerging technologies, and the manipulation of information are placing unprecedented strain on press freedom. He cautioned that the erosion of access to reliable information fuels mistrust, distorts public debate, and weakens social cohesion.
“When journalism is undermined, crises become far more difficult to prevent and resolve,” he said.
Reaffirming the fundamental role of a free press, Guterres emphasized that press freedom underpins all other freedoms. “Without it, there can be no human rights, no sustainable development — and no peace,” he said.
Marking the occasion, he called on governments and societies worldwide to protect journalists and ensure that truth and those who report it can operate safely and without fear.
Follow the latest news on Google News
