United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Saturday underscored the critical role of a free press in safeguarding democratic values and human rights worldwide.
Marking World Press Freedom Day, Guterres said that all freedoms are rooted in press freedom, warning that without it, “there can be no human rights, no sustainable development and no peace.”
He called on governments and institutions to protect journalists and ensure their rights are upheld, stressing the need to create an environment where truth and those who report it can operate safely.
The UN chief’s remarks came amid growing concerns over threats to media workers, censorship, and declining press freedoms in several parts of the world.
In his speech, António Guterres said, “People often say that in war, truth is the first casualty. But far too frequently, the first casualties are the journalists who risk everything to report that truth, not only in war, but wherever those in power fear scrutiny.”
“Across the globe, media workers risk censorship, surveillance, legal harassment, and even death. Recent years have seen a sharp rise in the number of journalists killed, often deliberately targeted, in war zones.”
He said 85% of the crimes committed against journalists go uninvestigated and unpunished, an unacceptable level of impunity. Economic pressures, new technologies, and active manipulation are also putting press freedom under unprecedented strain.
He said, “When access to reliable information erodes, mistrust takes root. When public debate is distorted, social cohesion weakens. And when journalism is undermined, crises become far more difficult to prevent and resolve. All freedom depends on press freedom. Without it, there can be no human rights, no sustainable development, and no peace.”
“On this World Press Freedom Day, let us protect the rights of journalists, and build a world where the truth and truth-tellers are safe”, he added.