World Press Freedom Day
3 May 2025 - Celebrating World Press Day
By Shrimeti Jungo / GICJ
Introduction
Each year, the 3rd of May is a date when we celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom. This is a time not merely to uphold the freedoms of press, but to also evaluate press freedom across the world, safeguard the media and targeted voices from attacks on their independence, and commemorate journalists who have lost their lives in pursuit of the truth—even in the face of censorship, threats, and violence.
History
In 1993, following a Recommendation adopted at the 26th session of UNESCO’s General Conference, the UN General Assembly proclaimed World Press Freedom Day. This recommendation was a response to a call made in 1991 by African journalists who produced the landmark statement of the Windhoek Declaration, which emphasised the importance of a free, independent, and pluralistic press. Furthermore, this declaration represents a vital affirmation of the international community’s commitment to press freedom.
The Impact of AI on the Freedom of the Press
This year, the United Nations (UN) is focusing on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in journalism and media. AI has potential for good, but can also place human rights in peril, notably free speech. AI is inevitably transforming the media landscape, making it essential to understand the ways in which it is driving this transformation.
AI is neither inherently good nor bad. It is a tool, and like any tool, its impact depends on the intentions and actions of those who wield it. AI is changing journalism by providing innovative tools to enhance investigative reporting and assist in verifying factual information. It helps the profession in various areas, such as improving efficiency, enhancing multilingual accessibility, and advancing data analysis.
On the other hand, the widespread use of AI presents significant challenges, notably when it comes to protecting press freedom. The risks mainly involve AI-generated misinformation and disinformation, deepfake technology, biased content moderation, and surveillance threats to journalists. Some states use AI to unlawfully control public communication, facilitate censorship, and suppress dissenting journalism. Similarly, private actors, such as providers of search engines and social media platforms, use content moderation, implementing AI to filter content so that unfavourable content can be removed.
Despite the advantages, when AI is not deployed in a human rights-friendly manner, it can be used as a weapon to censor the media and unlawfully surveil independent journalists.
Solutions
To effectively address the above-mentioned concerns, it is vital to consider the sociotechnical context in which AI is employed, by whom it is used, and for which purpose. States must be encouraged to consider mandating disclosure of AI use and underlying functions, along with transparency in their own AI application. Requirements could be tiered based on purpose, actor, development phase, and potential human rights risks.
Furthermore, stricter standards and regulations on AI use and it’s governance are mandatory to ensure accountability. For instance, regulations should link corporate accountability to company profits and ensure that decision-makers are held responsible for their actions. States should also be encouraged to establish a tiered AI oversight structure and explore self- and co-regulation models, along with mechanisms like dispute resolution bodies and social media councils to properly address violations.
AI tools should undergo frequent, independent audits, including evaluations of potential misuse to interfere with the press. In addition, it is important to ensure access to remedies and redress for erroneously restricted content from journalists and individuals.
Finally, due to the intertwined and transnational nature of AI limitations, it is imperative to enhance international efforts and pursue global solutions to ethical AI usage. These can include various initiatives by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, UNESCO, the Council of Europe, or the European Union.
Conclusion
AI should not take all the blame for the challenges to media and press freedom. However, AI should not facilitate digital authoritarianism or high-tech repression of the media. For AI to enable press freedom and access to pluralistic information, all stakeholders must guarantee a human rights-based framework to increase transparency and accountability. As AI continues to affect the press and our media consumption, it is essential to implement safeguarding mechanisms in its development and application.
GICJ Position
Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) strongly condemns the misuse of AI in the media and press, emphasizing its serious implications for press freedom and democratic integrity. In a time where everything has become digital and the use of technology has become more widespread in our everyday lives, in an uncertain political climate, it is crucial to ensure the freedom of the press, to ensure democracy, guarantee the freedom of speech, and inform the public. GICJ urges governments and private entities to adopt stronger safeguards and enforce stricter regulations governing the use of AI in the press.
In many parts of the world, media and press freedoms have long faced restrictions. It is therefore essential to ensure that artificial intelligence does not become yet another tool for suppressing press freedom.
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