By Draxon Maloya & Princess Eugene Majuru
Hand in hand with press freedom comes the responsibility to report accurately and present a full picture of events, rather than spinning narratives to shape public perception.
Yet, this responsibility is increasingly being neglected, particularly in the West, where manipulation of information often overshadows genuine threats to press freedom.
Although press freedom is enshrined in constitutions and international conventions, its practice remains elusive.
In countries under military rule across Africa and Asia, journalists face harassment, abductions, and even fatal gunfire while gathering news. Uganda and South Korea stand out as examples of states where hostile environments continue to endanger media practitioners.
Speaking on Sunday to mark World Press Freedom Day, UN Secretary-General António Guterres stressed: “All freedom depends on press freedom. Without it, there can be no human rights, no sustainable development and no peace.”
Highlighting the dangers faced by journalists — from censorship and surveillance to legal harassment and death — Guterres urged stronger protections for media workers and a global commitment to safeguarding truth-tellers.
Observed annually on May 3, World Press Freedom Day honors the 1991 Windhoek Declaration and the journalists who sacrificed their lives for truth.
Established by the UN in 1993, the day underscores the values of media independence and calls on governments to uphold free expression.
This year, UNESCO marked the occasion with a global conference and the prestigious Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize. Meanwhile, Reporters Without Borders released its World Press Freedom Index, measuring the state of media liberty across nations.
Celebrated under the theme “Honoring Courage and Justice in the Pursuit of Truth”, the day serves not only as a commemoration but as a reminder that fairness in journalism survives through bravery and the relentless demand for justice.
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