World Press Freedom Day has been celebrated annually on May 3rd for 32 years. On this day, we reflect on the fundamental role of journalism in building democratic structures and diagnose the challenges it faces. Launched by the United Nations in 1993, World Press Freedom Day reaffirms the value of journalism in creating better-informed, fairer, and democratic societies. As every year, this commemoration aims to stimulate a global debate on the changes needed to protect press freedom.
In more than three decades, violence has become one of the main threats to freedom of expression, alongside judicial harassment of journalists and the authoritarianism that, in repressive political conditions, hinders the free flow of information in several countries around the world. However, with the advent of new technologies, the challenges that threaten the sustainability of the media and facilitate the massive online spread of disinformation have changed.
Press freedom is also threatened by an increase in abusive lawsuits (SLAPPs) and the political persecution of journalists. The government’s commitment to implementing the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) is still pending. Hate speech against journalists is widespread in Spain. The political polarization of society is reflected in the media, where the line between news and opinion is dangerously blurred. This contributes to a climate of mistrust towards journalism. Journalists are subject to insults and physical threats on social media, while politicians, particularly from the far-right Vox party, publicly defame them and deny them access to events. Certain “crimes of opinion,” such as “insulting the Crown” and “insulting religious feelings,” remain undecriminalized and are once again in parliamentary debate.
Europe remains the region of the world where journalists can report most freely – it is the only region where countries with a “good record” in terms of press freedom are represented. Nevertheless, the situation has deteriorated in the east and southeast of the continent.
Within the EU, Prime Minister Robert Fico of Slovakia (ranked 29th) and his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orbán (ranked 67th), in particular, embody anti-press tendencies. In Slovakia, a bill was passed at the end of April 2024 that jeopardizes the independence of public broadcasting by allowing political interference in journalistic content. In Hungary, journalists face, among other things, partisan media regulation, political interference in editorial decisions, smear campaigns, and surveillance.
Behind Hungary are Malta (ranked 73rd) and Greece (ranked 88th) in the ranking of EU member states. In Greece, press freedom has been in crisis since 2021. The scandal surrounding the wiretapping of journalists by the National Intelligence Service (EYP) remains unresolved, as does the murder of crime reporter Giorgos Karaivaz in 2021.
Italy (ranked 46th) also fell five places this year. Particularly worrying are the frequent use of SLAPPs – so-called defamation lawsuits – and legislative attempts to control media reporting.
Independent journalism is also under political pressure in Bosnia and Herzegovina (ranked 81st), Serbia (ranked 98th), and Albania (ranked 99th). These three EU candidate countries are grappling with similar problems: Their media landscapes are dominated by misinformation and propaganda. News sites are often owned by wealthy individuals who use the media for their political ends or as tools of blackmail. Female journalists face online harassment and, in some cases, gender discrimination.
In Turkey (ranked 158th), media workers are often imprisoned for weeks or months, placing significant psychological and financial strain on them and their families. The regime also weakens the media through internet censorship.
On a positive note, the political environment for journalism has improved in Poland (ranked 47th) and Bulgaria (ranked 59th). New governments have advocated for greater commitment to the right to information.
Violence against journalists: 85 percent of cases go unpunished
Globally, violence remains the greatest threat to press freedom. According to UNESCO, more than 70 journalists were killed in 2024 while performing their duties, covering armed conflict, organized crime, corruption, or public demonstrations.
More than 60% of these cases occurred in conflict-affected countries, the highest percentage in the last ten years. Palestine was the most dangerous region for journalists, accounting for 25% of cases, followed by Ukraine and Colombia with 5.7% each.
This alarming situation is compounded by high levels of impunity: According to UNESCO, 85% of journalist murders since 2006 have gone unsolved, an improvement of only four percentage points over the last six years.
These figures contradict reports from the International Federation of Journalists, which documented the murder of 122 media workers worldwide in 2024, making it one of the deadliest years for journalism. Palestine remains the most dangerous country again, for the second year in a row.
Environmental journalists also face significant risks. A UNESCO report shows that 70% of these professionals were attacked because of their work between 2009 and 2023. Between 2019 and 2023 alone, more than 300 attacks were recorded, representing a 42% increase compared to the previous five-year period.
Violence and armed conflict also threaten press freedom in Europe. In 2024, the war between Russia and Ukraine remains the greatest challenge to journalists’ safety, according to the Safety of Journalists platform. Of the 266 alerts registered in Europe, at least 40 occurred in Ukraine, primarily in the Russian-occupied territories.
Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities and Risks
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing journalism by providing tools for analyzing large amounts of data and automating tasks. At the same time, it poses significant challenges. This year, the United Nations, and UNESCO in particular, has focused its World Press Freedom Day celebrations on reflecting on freedom of expression in the context of the AI revolution.
According to the United Nations, “The rapid rise and use of artificial intelligence is transforming the media landscape. While the principles of free, independent, and pluralistic media remain crucial, the impact of AI on the gathering, processing, and dissemination of information is profound, presenting both innovative opportunities and serious challenges.”
While this technology can promote access to information and enhance press freedom, it can also be used to spread disinformation, incite hatred online, or enable new forms of censorship. There are even documented cases of agents using AI to surveil journalists and citizens.
Large technology platforms play a key role in this context. The United Nations warns that these companies are using AI to filter and control what content is visible, thus becoming powerful gatekeepers of information.
Additionally, AI poses economic challenges because generative artificial intelligence uses journalistic content—often without permission or compensation—threatening the financial sustainability of the media.
In this context, writer Manuel Rivas expressed his concern about the impact of AI on creativity and intellectual rights at the CEDRO 2025 Awards ceremony this week. He warned of a potential “defeat of humanity” if ethical and effective regulation is not established. “Without regulation and without an effective ethic of empathy, there is a real danger that the new technological emporia will lead to a large-scale plundering of intellectual and creative heritage,” he said.
Disinformation: A Growing Challenge
Disinformation has become a growing threat to democracy and social cohesion. For this reason, UNESCO has initiated an action plan to regulate social networks and combat online disinformation, emphasizing the need to establish independent regulatory bodies and prioritize respect for human rights in decision-making processes.
“The liberation of speech through digital technology has been an immense step forward. However, social media has also accelerated and amplified the spread of disinformation and hate speech, posing a serious risk to society, peace, and stability. To protect access to information, we must immediately regulate these platforms while guaranteeing freedom of expression and human rights,” said Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, commenting on this measure.
The organization has also developed media literacy manuals and journalism training courses to address the growing problem of to tackle disinformation.
Disinformation not only undermines trust in institutions but is also used to attack journalism. According to Safety of Journalists, the first cases of AI-generated disinformation campaigns directly targeting journalists were documented in Europe in 2024.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) also warned of the dangers of this “fake industry” that threatens the quality of press freedom. According to the 2023 report, only three out of ten countries have a “satisfactory” press freedom situation, while the situation in 31 countries is described as “very serious.” RSF emphasizes that disinformation campaigns, often driven by political actors, hinder journalistic work and undermine public trust in the media.
