Sure enough, this period of weakness for the press has coincided with destabilized democracies and emboldened autocracies.Īnd when democracy erodes, you can be sure the free press will be the first target. When the free press erodes, democratic erosion almost always follows. The internet also unleashed the avalanche of misinformation, propaganda, punditry and clickbait that now overwhelms our information ecosystem, often drowning out credible journalism and accelerating the decline in societal trust. The digital outlets that emerged in their place were unable to fill the void, particularly in providing the local and investigative reporting that society depends on. The same technology that gave journalists the opportunity to reach people everywhere also eroded the business model of news, forcing many thousands of newspapers around the world to shutter. And news organizations, then enjoying historic financial strength, seemed well positioned to provide trustworthy information for a public eager to understand and engage with the broader world.īut rather than heralding a new global embrace of journalism, this moment proved to be a short-lived highpoint. Technological advancements hinted at a way of making people all over the world more informed and connected. The emergence of new, if fragile, democracies promised expanded freedoms for millions. The fears, divisions and dangers of the Cold War had seemingly subsided. Without journalists to provide news and information that people can depend on, I fear we will continue to see the unraveling of civic bonds, the erosion of democratic norms and the weakening of the trust – in institutions and in each other – that is so essential to the global order.īut let’s rewind to that moment of great optimism 30 years ago. All over the world, independent journalists and press freedoms are under attack. I’m here to tell you today that this vision is at great risk. General Assembly established World Press Freedom Day as an opportunity to bring the international community together each year to recognize the importance of press freedom and the foundational role journalists play in supporting human rights and free societies. You have my admiration and gratitude, especially those of you fighting for the public’s right to know in places where press freedom remains dangerously contested. It’s heartening to be here with so many great journalists and so many more from around the world who stand up for journalists and the rights that make our work possible.
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