World Press Freedom Day 2025: Freedom of expression in the face of the AI revolution
World Press Freedom Day 2025 focuses on how AI affects press freedom, the free flow of information, media independence, and the global goal of ensuring access to information and protecting fundamental freedoms (SDG 16.10) under the theme: Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media. The World Press Freedom Day is observed annually every May 3.
AI is transforming journalism, providing tools that enhance investigative reporting, content creation, and fact-checking. It allows for greater efficiency, multilingual accessibility, and improved data analysis. However, these advancements also bring risks: AI-generated misinformation and disinformation, deepfake technology, biased content moderation, and surveillance threats to journalists. Additionally, AI’s role in the media business model raises concerns about fair remuneration for journalistic content and media viability.
This year’s World Press Freedom Day event, Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media, will explore these complex issues, bringing together journalists, policymakers, media professionals, and civil society actors to ensure AI strengthens, rather than undermines, press freedom and democratic values.
World Press Freedom Day 2025 in Europe
In a message to mark this year’s World Press Freedom Day, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said when journalists are unable to work, “we all lose.” He said, “In a world plagued by conflict and division, World Press Freedom Day highlights a fundamental truth: Freedom for people depends on freedom of the press. He noted that Artificial Intelligence can support freedom of expression, or stifle it, and biased algorithms, outright lies and hate speech are landmines on the information superhighway. Accurate, verifiable, fact-based information is the best tool to defuse them. He said the Global Digital Compact adopted last year includes concrete steps to strengthen international cooperation to promote information integrity, tolerance and respect in the digital space and AI must be shaped in a way that is consistent with human rights and puts facts first. “And the Global Principles for Information Integrity I launched last year are supporting and informing this work as we push for a more humane information ecosystem. On this World Press Freedom Day, let’s commit to making this a reality and safeguard press freedom and the press everywhere,” he said.
The European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said: “A free press is the best shield for democracy. Journalists must be free to report without fear of censorship, intimidation, or retaliation. The European Parliament will always defend and stand up for media and press freedom – not only on World Press Freedom Day, but every day.”
Sabine Verheyen (EPP, DE), Vice-President of the European Parliament and chair of the Working Group on the implementation of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) said: “On World Press Freedom Day, we reaffirm our commitment to one of the fundamental pillars of democracy: media freedom. Free, independent, and diverse journalism is essential to any democratic society. However, it remains under threat – even within some EU member states – and without it, democracy cannot function.
Nela Riehl (Greens, DE), Chair of the Committee on Culture and Education, said: “An independent press sector is an essential pillar of our democracy. We need a free press to hold our decision makers accountable, advance social change, and keep citizens informed. I am concerned about the drastic increase in young people’s exposure to news from unverified sources on social media. Quality journalism is competing with algorithms on social media platforms for our attention. To minimise the spread of harmful disinformation, the EU is now starting to regulate digital platforms, but we also need to improve media literacy, make sure people have access to accurate information, and provide education on media consumption.
World Press Freedom Day 2025 in Nigeria
In Nigeria the executive secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Tony Ojukwu, stated this in a statement to celebrate the 2025 World Press Freedom Day. Mr Ojukwu advocated for the establishment of ethical and legal frameworks to address the myriad of challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI). He highlighted the need for regulations that ensure AI development aligns with human rights principles, preventing potential abuses and safeguarding fundamental freedoms. Accordingly, he said, the commission proposes to issue an advisory on the use and deployment of Artificial Intelligence in Nigeria very soon.
He noted that while AI could be deployed to enhance journalistic activities such as content development, investigative reporting, research and fact-checking. ” It could also be a source of worry when it is manipulated for misinformation, cyberbullying, emotional abuse and inciting comments. “The theme of 2025 commemoration, ‘Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media” is apt given the exponential growth of digital communications and utilisation of AI in virtually all aspects of life. ”AI tools have greatly impacted the enjoyment of the Right to Freedom of Expression and the Media by eliminating barriers to timely and effective communication”, he said.
He noted that AI tools have at the same time aided the breach of the right to freedom of expression and the media when applied unprofessionally without deference to ethical regulations. Mr Ojukwu called on citizens, including journalists, to take advantage of AI in the most positive and responsible manner to deepen the realisation of the Right to Freedom of Expression. “The Media, while using AI, should at the same time avoid inciting statements against constituted authorities and other members of the public. “NHRC enjoined those in authority to cooperate with the journalists in the course of discharging their constitutional responsibility, which, among others, includes holding the government accountable to the people. “All stakeholders should always recognise the Press as a critical partner in the democratic process, and desist from any form of confrontation and interference with the lawful duties of journalists and other media workers, otherwise they will be found on the wrong side of the law,” he said.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, represented by Dr. Sulaiman Dauda, Director of Press at the Ministry, disclosed at a World Press Freedom Day event in Abuja on Friday that the Nigerian Federal Government has established a UNESCO-backed Media and Information Literacy Institute in a bid to address the challenges of misinformation and press freedom in the digital age
The minister revealed that Nigeria has secured the endorsement of seven countries with commitments from 20 others to host a UNESCO Category 2 International Media and Information Literacy Institute at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). “This institute will serve not just Nigeria, but the global community, empowering citizens to critically engage with media in an age defined by digital disruption,” Idris note
He emphasized that media literacy is now indispensable in countering the spread of fake news, deepfakes, and politically motivated disinformation. Idris described AI as a “dual-edged force” in journalism that offers remarkable efficiencies while posing significant threats to press freedom and information integrity.
“AI is revolutionizing newsrooms, enabling faster turnaround times and augmenting investigative capacity. However, this advancement also presents ethical concerns around bias, misinformation, and accountability,” he said at the event jointly organized by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) and the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID).
On his part, Mr. Akintunde Babatunde, Executive Director of CJID, echoed the urgency of rethinking journalism in the era of AI. “Artificial intelligence is no longer theoretical it is embedded in every stage of the news process,” he said. “From generative AI tools that assist journalists or impersonate them, to algorithms that decide what information audiences see, AI is reshaping the very foundation of journalism. “At CJID, we acknowledge this brave new world. But we also recognize the dangers: algorithmic bias, job displacement, erosion of editorial independence, and even the use of AI for surveillance and harassment of journalists,” he warned. These challenges are not abstract they are happening now. They impact real newsrooms, real reporters, and ultimately, the health of our democracies.”
Freedom of expression in the face of the AI revolution
The rapid growth and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing journalism, the media, and press freedom in big ways. While the principles of free, independent, and pluralistic media remain crucial, AI’s impact on information gathering, processing, and dissemination is profound, presenting both innovative opportunities and serious challenges.
AI can help support freedom of expression by making information easier to access, allowing more people to communicate across the world, and changing how information flows globally.
At the same time, AI brings new risks. It can be used to spread false or misleading information, increase online hate speech, and support new types of censorship. Some actors use AI for mass surveillance of journalists and citizens, creating a chilling effect on freedom of expression. Big tech platforms use AI to filter and control what content is seen, making them powerful gatekeepers of information. There are growing worries that AI may make global media too similar, reduce different viewpoints, and push out smaller media outlets.
AI can also help media organizations by automating tasks, making them more efficient and helping them keep up with demand. But at the same time, the financial health of many media outlets is weakening. Generative AI tools reuse journalistic content without fair payment, taking away income from independent media and giving it to tech platforms and AI companies.
AI is playing a bigger role in elections, helping with fact-checking and fighting disinformation. It also gives tools to journalists and voters to support informed participation in democracy. But AI also creates risks. It can be used to make fake but realistic content, like deepfakes, which can damage trust in democratic systems. Addressing these challenges requires collaboration among governments, media, and civil society. The UN Global Digital Compact says it’s important to deal with problems caused by technology while still protecting people’s privacy and freedom of expression.
