On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, international organizations and journalistic associations express their concern about the threats it faces, highlighting the intimidation, imprisonment, murders of journalists.

“Freedom of the press is the foundation of human rights (…) But, in every corner of the world, freedom of the press is under attack,” said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a video message broadcast on Tuesday during during a conference organized by UNESCO at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York.

“Journalists and media workers are being directly targeted, online and offline, as they carry out their vital work. They are systematically harassed, intimidated, arrested, imprisoned,” Guterres said.

Although the UN Secretary-General did not name specific journalists or countries, some speakers referred to specific cases, such as that of American Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who is being held in Russia on suspicion of espionage. He denies the charge.

“I come from a country, Iran, where being a journalist is a crime … it can send you to prison, you can be tortured, it can cost you your life,” said journalist and women’s rights activist Mashih Alinejad, who lives now permanently in the USA.

According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), 55 journalists and four media partners were killed in the line of duty in 2022 worldwide.

This is an “unacceptable” situation, UNESCO director-general Audrey Azoulet said, adding that journalists were murdered “in their homes, often in front of their families.”

Internet “snowflake” of misinformation

The digital age is changing the landscape of information and in this context “we need (journalists) more than ever”, Azoulet emphasized.

Because “the truth is threatened by disinformation and hate speech, which seek to blur the lines between reality and fantasy, between science and conspiracy,” the UN Secretary-General stressed. Antonio Guterres also expressed concern about the increasing concentration of the media industry in the hands of a few, coupled with the bankruptcy of many independent news organizations.

For his part, New York Times publishing director Arthur Gregg Schulzberger highlighted the “online avalanche of misinformation, propaganda and commentary that … is drowning out our trusted journalists.” “When freedom of the press is weakened, the erosion of democracy almost always follows,” he warned.

It is therefore “imperative” that governments “reaffirm their commitment to the protection and promotion of independent, free and pluralistic media”, which are “vital pillars of democracy”, underline in their joint statement the rapporteurs of the UN, the OSCE, the Organization of American States and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Amnesty International Secretary-General Anies Kalamar warned that censorship imposed by many governments to manipulate public opinion is “undermining our future”.