The annual World Press Freedom Day is May 3 with the 2025 theme “Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media” highlights the growing role of AI in journalism.

How serendipitous that World Press Freedom Day 2025 comes one day after U.S. President Trump threatens funding for two very outspoken, free thinking public broadcasting media outlets — National Public Radio (NPR) and PBS. Many pundits, news outlets, late night hosts, and more,  are saying this is the administration’s latest effort to sanction institutions it views as opposed to his political agenda.

The celebratory press freedom day also follows this past week’s White House Correspondents Dinner, where a White House Press Pool-banned Associated Press won the award for The Award For Excellence In Presidential News Coverage Under Deadline Pressure, and was name dropped countless times alluding to their present situation.

Reporting World Press Freedom
May 3rd is the annual World Freedom Press Day

BACK TO OUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED REPORTING

Since this press freedom day’s inception by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, freedom of the press has expanded to now include freedom of the internet — which has Socially Sparked® our lives. Today, we celebrate its importance and remind the world what it would be like without the media.

To repeat, this year’s theme is “Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media” highlighting the growing role of AI in journalism.

AI is transforming journalism, providing tools that enhance investigative reporting, content creation, and fact-checking. It allows for greater efficiency, multilingual accessibility, and improved data analysis. However, these advancements also bring risks: AI-generated misinformation and disinformation, deepfake technology, biased content moderation, and surveillance threats to journalists. Additionally, AI’s role in the media business model raises concerns about fair remuneration for journalistic content and media viability.

We have witnessed first-hand these facts:  journalists worldwide continue to face threats, censorship, and violence. According to UNESCO, promoting the safety of journalists and combating impunity for those who attack them are central actions within its support for press freedom. ​

On May 7th UNESCO will host the World Press Freedom Day 2025 Signature Event on at Bozar, the Centre for Fine Arts in Brussels. This gathering will convene journalists, policymakers, and media professionals to explore the profound impact of artificial intelligence on journalism and media. The event will feature plenary sessions on information as a public good in the AI era and will include the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize Ceremony.

advocacy

Since its inception by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, freedom of the press has expanded to now include freedom of the internet — which has Socially Sparked® our lives well beyond 25 years. Today, we celebrate its importance and remind the world what it would be like without the media.

In closing, I leave you with this quote from the UN Secretary General for the – 25th anniversary of Word Press Freedom Day in 2018,  which rings true today.   I couldn’t have and  cannot say it any better myself.

“On World Press Freedom Day…, I call on governments to strengthen press freedom, and to protect journalists. Promoting a free press is standing up for our right to truth.” — António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General