Antonio Guterres: We All Lose When Journalists Lose the Ability to Report Freely and Without Fear
The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, stated that journalists everywhere must have the ability to report news freely and without fear or favor, emphasizing that “when journalists lose this ability to work, we all lose.”
In a message on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, which the newspaper “Al-Amq” received a copy of, Guterres noted it is tragic that possessing this ability faces increasing difficulties year after year and carries greater risks.
He highlighted that journalists are subjected to assaults, detention, censorship, intimidation, and violence, and they even face death, simply for doing their jobs. He added, “We are witnessing a sharp increase in the number of journalists killed in conflict zones, particularly in Gaza.”
Guterres remarked that this year’s World Press Freedom Day comes amid a world suffering from conflicts and divisions, shedding light on the fundamental truth that people’s freedom is contingent on press freedom.
He stressed that free and independent journalism is a fundamental public service; it is the backbone upon which the principles of accountability, justice, equality, and human rights rest.
The UN official views that press freedom currently faces unprecedented threats, pointing out that artificial intelligence can either support freedom of expression or stifle it.
He continued, stating, “Biased algorithms and disinformation, as well as hate speech, are like landmines scattered along the high-speed information route. There is no better way to defuse those mines than by prioritizing accurate, fact-based information.”
According to the spokesperson, the global digital compact adopted last year includes concrete measures to enhance international cooperation in promoting information safety, tolerance, and respect in the digital space, adding: “Thus, artificial intelligence must be harnessed in alignment with human rights and prioritize factual realities.”
Guterres emphasized that the global principles of information integrity announced last year support and enrich these efforts, “at a time when we are working towards advancing a more humane media system.” He concluded his message with a call to “commit, on this World Press Freedom Day, to make these efforts a tangible reality by safeguarding and protecting press freedom everywhere.”
