World Press Freedom Day: Navigating the age of artificial intelligence
- Aiyana Lacota
- May 3
- 4 min read
Updated: May 12
As the world marks World Press Freedom Day on 3 May 2025, the spotlight turns to a pivotal theme: the influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on freedom of expression, media independence, and access to information. This year’s commemoration aligns closely with the United Nations' global goals, particularly SDG 16.10, which advocates for public access to information and the protection of fundamental freedoms. Amid the accelerating integration of AI technologies into media ecosystems, there is both optimism and caution surrounding the future of journalism, sustainability, and justice and strong institutions.
AI is transforming the way journalists operate from content generation to audience engagement. It offers the ability to automate routine tasks, analyse vast data sets in real time, and enhance storytelling through interactive and immersive formats. This technological shift holds great promise for bolstering sustainability in the newsroom, allowing smaller outlets to scale their operations more efficiently. Yet, the ethical implications and emerging risks cannot be ignored. The very essence of press freedom is being redefined in an era where algorithms, not editors, often determine what content is visible to the public.
The paradox of potential and peril
Artificial Intelligence has introduced powerful tools to detect disinformation, aid investigative journalism, and support climate action through data visualisation and predictive analysis. During elections, AI-enabled tools can assist with fact-checking and voter education, reinforcing peace and justice. However, these advantages are counterbalanced by new and complex threats.
The growing use of generative AI such as large language models has led to the unlicensed appropriation of journalistic content. This undermines economic equality, as independent media outlets lose potential revenue streams to dominant tech corporations. According to a 2024 report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), over 60% of global media outlets express concern over AI scraping their content without compensation. Furthermore, deepfakes and AI-manipulated media are eroding trust in factual reporting, posing a direct challenge to the credibility of democratic institutions.
AI systems also raise alarms over freedom of expression due to their application in content moderation and surveillance. In some regions, governments and corporate actors use AI-driven surveillance tools to monitor journalists, restrict dissent, and shape public discourse.
The UN Global Digital Compact calls for immediate attention to these practices, highlighting the need for human rights-based governance of digital technologies to prevent censorship and protect privacy.
A world map of press freedom: Justice and repression
Beyond the rise of AI, traditional threats to press freedom persist in many parts of the world. According to the 2024 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders, journalists face escalating dangers in conflict zones, authoritarian regimes, and even democratic states experiencing political instability.
Most dangerous countries: In 2024, the five most repressive countries for press freedom were North Korea, Eritrea, Iran, Myanmar, and China. In these states, independent journalism is virtually non-existent, with governments exerting total control over information. Arbitrary detention, torture, and even enforced disappearances remain real threats.
Most press-friendly countries: On the other end of the spectrum, Norway, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland ranked as the top five safest and most just environments for journalists, offering comprehensive legal protections, public trust, and financial independence for media outlets.
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), at least 363 journalists were imprisoned worldwide as of December 2024 a new record. 88 journalists were killed in connection with their work in 2023, many while reporting from war zones or investigating corruption, human rights abuses, or environmental crimes.
Journalists face risks including:
Targeted violence, particularly in zones of armed conflict.
Legal harassment, such as criminal defamation laws and arbitrary arrests.
Economic threats, with shrinking budgets and attacks on independent media funding.
Digital threats, including hacking, online harassment, and smear campaigns driven by bots and disinformation.
In some regions, female journalists are disproportionately targeted. A 2023 UNESCO study found that 73% of women journalists experienced online violence, often of a gendered and sexualised nature, posing a direct threat to gender equality and media pluralism.
Real-world responses and global collaboration
Several organisations are already addressing these dualities. The UNESCO JournalismAI initiative, for example, provides training and guidelines on the responsible use of AI in newsrooms, promoting transparency and ethical standards. Meanwhile, Global Voices, a non-profit advocating for media diversity, has launched AI-assisted tools for multilingual reporting to amplify underrepresented perspectives contributing to gender equality and environmental protection in global narratives.
In the private sector, media cooperatives are experimenting with blockchain and AI to ensure fair compensation for content creators, enhancing economic equality across the media landscape. However, these efforts remain fragmented. A more unified global approach anchored by the Global Society is essential. By fostering international standards, encouraging inclusive dialogue, and supporting policy frameworks rooted in science and human rights, collaborative mechanisms can help mitigate risks while harnessing AI’s transformative power.
World Press Freedom Day, first established by the United Nations in 1993, honours the Declaration of Windhoek and the enduring value of free, independent, and pluralistic media. Over the last three decades, the event has served as a reminder of the critical role of journalists in shaping informed societies. In 2025, its message is more urgent than ever.
AI will inevitably continue to reshape the media environment. The challenge lies not in resisting this change, but in steering it ethically and inclusively. Governments, civil society, and the private sector must invest in policies that support strong institutions, protect journalistic integrity, and ensure equitable access to information. Such efforts are vital to advancing the SDGs, strengthening global society, and preparing for a future in which World changes are guided not by unchecked algorithms, but by shared values.
To learn more about global efforts supporting press freedom and AI ethics, visit UNESCO's Journalism and AI programme or explore the UN Global Digital Compact. For insights into international frameworks on media sustainability and rights-based technology governance, see the Global Freedom of Expression project.
This article supports awareness around the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with particular focus on SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 13: Climate Action, and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.
More information: https://www.un.org/en/observances/press-freedom-day
