The United Nations and European Union issued statements and organized events to mark World Press Freedom Day on May 3 [1].

These observations highlight the growing threats to independent media, including the rise of artificial intelligence and restrictive internet laws that jeopardize the safety of journalists globally.

World Press Freedom Day is observed annually on May 3 [1]. The day was instituted by the UN General Assembly in 1993 [2] to commemorate the Windhoek Declaration, which was adopted on May 3, 1991 [1].

High Representative Josep Borrell issued statements on behalf of the European Union on May 2, 2023, and May 2, 2024 [3, 4]. Borrell said that every individual has the right to freedom of opinion and expression, which includes the right to seek, receive, and spread information and ideas without regard for borders.

In his May 2, 2024, statement, Borrell connected the quality of information to the stability of governance. He said, "Independent journalism, based on objective facts, helps to protect our freedoms and strengthen democracy" [4].

To further these discussions, the UN Department of Global Communications partnered with UNESCO to host a webinar on May 4, 2024 [5]. The event was designed for journalists worldwide to discuss the current state of the profession.

The events focused on contemporary pressures facing the press. Authorities said the role of AI in the media landscape and the persistence of physical attacks on journalists are primary concerns [1, 6]. These challenges are viewed as direct threats to the principles established in the Windhoek Declaration, which sought to promote a free press as a prerequisite for democracy [6].

“Independent journalism, based on objective facts, helps to protect our freedoms and strengthen democracy.”

The recurring emphasis by the UN and EU on the Windhoek Declaration suggests that the foundational principles of press freedom are under renewed pressure. By linking independent journalism to the strength of democracy and addressing new technological threats like AI, international bodies are attempting to modernize the legal and ethical frameworks used to protect journalists from state and digital interference.