Published on: 2026-08-24
Source: United Nations – Объединенные Нации –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
August 23, 2026 Culture and Education
Thanks to a single article in The New York Times about a major disaster, $500,000 was allocated for aid to the victims. This is just one example of how a free press influences saving lives, says the new UNESCO report “The Value of Journalism.”
The authors of the study emphasize: independent journalism plays a key role in drawing attention to the consequences of humanitarian disasters and combating disinformation. Analysis of data from 152 countries shows that a high level of press freedom is associated with lower risks of conflicts, repression, and human rights violations.
The report states that the media help affected communities receive support and encourage officials to act faster. Quality coverage of crises makes response measures more effective.
Journalistic investigations also serve as a “watchdog,” overseeing the work of the humanitarian sector and promoting reforms. The report provides examples of how journalism has led to the protection of natural resources: publications about wastewater discharge at a landfill in Thailand forced authorities to intervene, and investigations into illegal sand mining in Uganda resulted in a nationwide ban.
Health and Safety
The report’s authors also describe cases demonstrating the impact of journalism on health and safety. Radio programs in Burkina Faso about the risks of malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea in children significantly increased visits to medical centers and reduced mortality among children under five by an average of 7.15 percent per year, saving nearly three thousand lives.
A Los Angeles Times journalists’ campaign led to stricter building codes, making Los Angeles more earthquake-resistant.
Research on the role of radio after a major earthquake showed that it helped families find each other and disseminated crucial information about safety, hygiene, and clean water. In Nigeria, radio programs aimed at combating misinformation about the coronavirus epidemic helped listeners recognize and challenge false claims.
UNESCO warns: false reports and rumors exacerbate crises, hinder recovery efforts, and sometimes even obstruct the delivery of aid. Disinformation can provoke violence and endanger humanitarian workers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization called this phenomenon an “infodemic.” Disinformation led to 2.3 million additional cases and 66,000 hospitalizations in 2021 in the United States, costing the healthcare system two billion dollars and resulting in 45,000 preventable deaths.
Media and Charity
The report also shows that the media can stimulate charity. A report by British journalist Michael Buerk from Ethiopia in 1984 led to the collection of over 200 million dollars in aid. A photograph by Turkish photojournalist Nilufer Demir, capturing the deceased boy Alan Kurdi in 2015, caused a global outcry and led to a sharp increase in donations – some organizations received 50 times more funds.
Investigative journalism can also change the humanitarian sector itself: the #AidToo scandal, uncovered by the media, revealed abuses of power in Haiti and a culture of impunity in several major NGOs, including Oxfam and Save the Children.
The authors of the UNESCO report make an unequivocal conclusion: a free press is a vital element of public safety, capable of saving lives, preventing disasters, and ensuring financial transparency.
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