Why Press Freedom Is the Foundation of All Other Freedoms

We often hear that in times of war, truth dies first. But too often, the truth is silenced because the people chasing it don’t survive. Around the world, journalists put their lives on the line simply for doing their jobs. Whether in conflict zones or under repressive governments, media workers face censorship, surveillance, lawsuits, intimidation; and, in the worst cases, bullets. The danger isn’t accidental. In many modern conflicts, journalists are deliberately targeted. What makes it even more troubling is what happens after the cameras stop rolling. About eighty-five percent of crimes against journalists are never properly investigated or punished, allowing violence against the press to continue with almost total impunity. The threats don’t stop there. Economic pressures are shrinking newsrooms. New technologies are being weaponized to spread disinformation. Powerful actors actively manipulate narratives to blur facts and undermine credibility. The result is a media landscape under strain like never before. And when people lose access to reliable information, mistrust grows. Public debate fractures. Social cohesion weakens. Without strong, independent journalism, crises escalate faster, and solutions become harder to find. This is why press freedom isn’t a luxury. It’s the foundation of every other freedom. Without it, human rights falter, development stalls, and peace remains out of reach. On World Press Freedom Day, our message is simple but urgent: protect journalists. Defend their right to report without fear. Build a world where truth and the people brave enough to pursue it can survive.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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