The News Committee of the World Broadcasting Unions marked World Press Freedom Day 2026 at a critical moment for global journalism. Across the world, journalists continue to report under increasingly dangerous conditions, amid the rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation. Despite these challenges, they remain committed to ensuring access to accurate, verified and impartial information.

Organisations such as the International Federation of Journalists, Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists continue to highlight the growing number of journalists killed, particularly in conflict zones. At the same time, hundreds more remain detained worldwide, often in violation of their fundamental rights and their mission to report on global affairs.

Journalism remains a cornerstone of democracy, serving as a safeguard against the abuse of power and a vital force for diversity, dialogue and human rights. However, the rise of artificial intelligence presents new challenges to the transparency, accuracy and accountability that audiences expect from a free press. The WBU recognises these risks and calls on media organisations and technology platforms to uphold news integrity in the AI era by ensuring proper attribution, securing permission for the use of journalistic content and establishing clear standards for safety and transparency.

The WBU supports the five principles for the responsible use of news in AI, developed by the European Broadcasting Union and the World Association of News Publishers, which aim to protect the integrity of journalism.

At this pivotal time, the WBU urges all stakeholders to stand united against the growing influence of misinformation and disinformation, and to defend the value of verified information. It calls on major technology companies to strengthen collaboration with initiatives that promote news integrity and responsible AI use.

The WBU remains committed to ensuring that artificial intelligence is used to support the dissemination of accurate information within an ecosystem built on trust. It also encourages audiences worldwide to critically assess the sources of the information they consume, in order to avoid the spread of false or misleading content.

As the world reflects on the enduring principles of journalism — accuracy, fairness and courage — the WBU reaffirms its commitment to upholding these values in an era of rapid technological change, in line with this year’s theme, “Shaping a Future at Peace.”

ASBU abstains from this statement.

Please click the link to view the official press release from the World Broadcasting Unions – Newsroom – World Broadcasting Unions