Commentary, News

World Press Freedom Day 2025

Last Saturday, May 3^rd, was observed globally as World Press Freedom Day. 3rd May acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom and is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics. Just as importantly, World Press Freedom Day is a day of support for the media, which are targets for the restraint, or abolition, of press freedom. It is also a day of remembrance for those journalists who lost their lives in the pursuit of a story. Among other things, it is used to evaluate press freedom around the world and also strategise to help in the defence of the global media from attacks as well as pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession. The event provides a platform for multiple media actors to exchange on current issues, threats, and achievements concerning freedom of the press under the theme “The role of media in elections and democracy.” The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), in collaboration with Journalist Associations around the globe, is leading the global journalism community to celebrate the event. At the celebration in Accra, key stakeholders met to deliberate on Ghana’s media freedom. Speaker after speaker acknowledged the urgent need for freedom of expression, including media freedom, as a fundamental underpinning for the successful operation of all democratic mechanisms, which keep power in check and hold it to account. This is because violence and crime against journalists are becoming increasingly alarming. Since 1993, 1753 journalists have been killed globally, twenty-one of them this year alone. Though Ghana has not recorded the death of journalists in very recent years, at least the past four years, journalists continue to suffer threats, intimidation, assault and abuse from all fronts, especially from politicians. According to Reporters Without Borders, “Although physical attacks against journalists are the most visible violations of press freedom, economic pressure is also a major, more insidious problem. The economic indicator on the RSF World Press Freedom Index now stands at an unprecedented, critical low as its decline continued in 2025. As a result, the global state of press freedom is now classified as a “difficult situation” for the first time in the history of the Index.”

In this year’s ranking, Ghana fared poorly by dropping from 50 to 52 in the same ranking vicinity with countries such as Albania, Croatia, Bosnia and Serbia. This is as a result of the brutalities meted out to journalists while on duty. It is a shame that Ghana would decline on this prestigious ladder rather than improving upon the feat chalked. Ghana’s celebration of the day was fascinating as the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) used the occasion to honour 24 distinguished individuals and institutions for their exceptional contributions to media freedom and development in Ghana. The President of the GJA, touching on the theme for the year’s celebration as “Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media,” Noted that the AI revolution is a conversation that we need to have as it will continue to impact our work daily,” he said, cautioning that AI could easily undermine the credibility of the media if not handled responsibly. Indeed, AI is transforming the media landscape. From automating news production to personalising content delivery, AI offers tools that can enhance journalistic efficiency and reach. However, these advancements come with significant challenges. For instance, AI algorithms can inadvertently perpetuate biases, spread misinformation, and even suppress independent journalism. The rise of deepfakes and AI-generated disinformation campaigns poses threats to public trust and the integrity of information. As AI becomes more integrated into newsrooms, it’s imperative to ensure that its deployment upholds the principles of press freedom. Journalists and media organisations must have the autonomy to report without undue influence from AI-driven tools or external entities. As we prepare for this critical global innovation, stakeholders, including governments, tech companies, and civil society, must collaborate to establish ethical guidelines that protect journalistic integrity and the public’s right to accurate information. As we navigate the complexities introduced by AI, the core values of journalism—accuracy, fairness, and responsibility must remain steadfast. Upholding these principles is essential to maintaining public trust and the vital role of the press in society. As Ghana joins the rest of the world in celebrating the day, let us recognise the transformative power of AI in journalism and commit to harnessing it responsibly. By doing so, we can ensure that the media continues to serve as a pillar of democracy, providing citizens with the information they need to make informed decisions.