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.
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).
Origins and purpose of the Day
World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, following the recommendation of UNESCO’s General Conference. Since then, 3 May, the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek is celebrated worldwide as World Press Freedom Day.
After 30 years, the historic connection made between the freedom to seek, impart and receive information and the public good remains as relevant as it was at the time of its signing. Special commemorations of the 30th anniversary are planned to take place during World Press Freedom Day International Conference.
May 3 acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom. It is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics. It is an opportunity to:
- celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom;
- assess the state of press freedom throughout the world;
- defend the media from attacks on their independence;
- and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
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