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UN highlights World Press Freedom Day and AI's risks to journalism; calls for better protection of reporters
Summary
The United Nations marked World Press Freedom Day, highlighting threats to journalists including killings in conflict zones and the emerging risks and opportunities of artificial intelligence; correspondents pressed for stronger protections and a special representative.
The United Nations marked World Press Freedom Day on Friday and used the observance to highlight rising risks to journalists, including a reported sharp increase in killings in conflict zones.
UN Spokesperson Steph said the secretary-general emphasized that free, independent journalism is an essential public good and highlighted this year’s theme — the impact of artificial intelligence on press freedom — noting AI “can support free expression or can stifle it.” The spokesperson said the secretary-general’s full remarks are available online and that he thanked journalists and urged attention to protections for reporters.
Reporters asked whether the secretary-general would appoint a special representative for the freedom of the press and the protection of journalists. One correspondent argued a special representative was overdue given record numbers of journalists killed in recent years; Steph replied that the secretary-general has been “extremely vocal” on the issue and has raised it directly with member states, including by meeting Reporters Without Borders during a recent visit to Paris.
Questions also touched on Hong Kong’s decline in press freedom rankings. The spokesperson said the UN is concerned about losses of press freedom in many parts of the world and that the general concern covers Hong Kong.
