This year’s World Press Freedom Day focuses on freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights, highlighting how fair, free and independent journalism underpins safe and democratic societies in which all people are respected.
Celebrating Achievements, Recognising Threats and Recommitting to the Effort
The free and healthy function of the media has never been more important, or hard fought for.
When a shell lands near a military hospital on the outskirts of Bakhmut, experienced Ukrainian war reporter Anastasia Stanko gives an instinctive start, as if to run somewhere, anywhere.
Then, she quickly composes herself, gives a broad smile, and continues the interview.
“It’s OK, it’s OK,” says the army officer, who is even more used to such explosions.
"Globally, disinformation campaigns exploit both traditional and social media - and increasingly artificial intelligence - to lie, distort and blur."
In that instant between flight and smile, Stanko’s videographer – himself notably collected – captures the line between human response and professional responsibility, between self-preservation and journalistic commitment.
This is what a free press does at its best, what it has to do: hold its nerve, grin and bear it, stay on the story, report the truth. As the UN marks World Press Freedom Day, the free and healthy function of the media has never been more important, or hard fought for.
Those forces opposing freedom of thought and freedom of information are mobilised in, determined, resourced and brutal. Globally, disinformation campaigns exploit both traditional and social media - and increasingly artificial intelligence - to lie, distort and blur.
Nationally, legislation and state forces close media operations, restrict information access and control the internet.
According to Reporters without Borders, 533 journalists were arrested around the world in 2022, a 13 per cent increase from the previous year. A further 57 were killed.
On this day, as always, we remember our own colleague, beloved Ammar al-Shahbander, killed on May 2, 2015, by an Islamic State bomb in central Baghdad.
Yet the global movement for media freedom also has achievements.
With the support of the constituency of media assistance, media development and media awareness of which IWPR is a long-standing and proud member, local journalists are improving skills, achieving sustainability, reaching international audiences.
They are overcoming challenges, demonstrating incredibly bravery, showing amazing talent. Here, we highlight stories from IWPR’s network of reporters around the world, fighting to defend these vital freedoms.
Whether in Ukraine, where the media is still holding government to account amid active conflict, or Georgia, where journalists face growing demonisation - or Syria, where a devastating earthquake has put yet more pressure on a sector already facing multiple dangers - our community continues to working on the frontlines of freedom of speech.
On World Press Freedom Day, we recognise the threats, recommit to the effort and celebrate the achievements.
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A journalist runs as smoke rises behind after a bombardment in Bakhmut, Eastern Ukraine. © Bulent Kilic/AFP via Getty Images