Published on: 2026-05-01
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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“In war, the first casualty is the truth.” This is the winged expression recalled by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in connection with World Press Freedom Day, which is observed on May 3. It noted that “journalists, who risk everything to bring this truth to people, are often the first victims.”
The UN Secretary-General added that this happens not only during war, but also everywhere where “authorities fear close scrutiny.”
“SMI employees worldwide face the risk of censorship, surveillance, prosecution, and even death. In recent years, the number of journalists killed in combat zones has sharply increased – often as a result of deliberate attacks,” he said.
Eighty-five percent of crimes committed against journalists remain unsolved and unpunished, the Secretary-General reported.
“Any freedom depends on the freedom of the press. Without it, it is impossible to speak about either human rights, or sustainable development, or peace,” said the UN Secretary-General. Guterres called for the protection of journalists’ rights.
This year, 14 journalists have died worldwide
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk reminded that this year 14 journalists have died worldwide, and about 330 media workers are detained.
“SMI employees blow themselves up in their cars, are searched out of offices, forced to keep silent by being jailed, and dismissed from work,” said the UN’s chief human rights defender.
The greatest danger for journalists is covering wars. Nearly 300 journalists had died by October 2023. By 2026, Lebanon became the most dangerous country for media workers.
“In Sudan, I met journalists who faced extreme violence, cruelty, and even hunger — and yet still tried to do their job,” Tyur said.
Beyond conflict zones, journalistic investigations that expose corruption, environmental crimes, or organized crime carry serious risks for media workers, and sometimes even for their families, as is the case, for example, in Mexico.
“What would the world look like without a free press? It would be a world of indifference, where violence is met with silence. A world of manipulation, where truth becomes a commodity to be traded and sold like a product. A world in which people would not be able to distinguish facts from fiction,” said Tyurk.
He emphasized that a free press is the “oxygen” of an open society. Countries must put an end to the persecution of journalists, remove all restrictions on their activities, prevent attacks on media workers, and protect them from surveillance.
“I call on the state to investigate all violations and hold the guilty accountable,” the Commissioner concluded.
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