Free Media Are the Backbone of Global Peace

The World Today Faces Complex Crises and Eroding Public Trust

According to the Public Relations Office of Iran’s National Commission for UNESCO, the Presidents of the United Nations General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, the Human Rights Council, and the UNESCO General Conference have issued a joint strategic statement on World Press Freedom Day, emphasizing the irreplaceable role of free and independent media in achieving peace and inclusive and sustainable development, while safeguarding human rights.

Published alongside the United Nations’ efforts to structurally reform the international organization to strengthen its effectiveness in the decades ahead, the statement warns of the current state of the world; a world marked by armed conflicts, deep divisions, inequalities, climate crises, rapid technological developments, the proliferation of misinformation, and eroding public trust. It notes that these serious challenges are increasingly threatening global stability.

The signatories stressed that, in such circumstances, building a future grounded in peace and tranquillity is by no means an idealistic slogan, but rather a strategic and ethical necessity. The statement emphasizes that addressing these challenges requires a return to shared fundamental principles. This key document, issued on 4 May 2026 in Zambia, recognizes freedom of expression as a fundamental and universal right, enshrined in major international instruments such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Free, independent, pluralistic, and diverse media are identified as key actors in advancing comprehensive peace worldwide. The signatories emphasized that, by providing accurate, timely, and fact-based information, these media outlets help prevent the spread and circulation of harmful and inflammatory content. By giving a voice to all segments of society, particularly women, young people, and marginalized groups, they also create opportunities for social participation and national cohesion.

Protecting Journalists and Combating Impunity: Prerequisites for Peace and Democracy

The joint statement firmly condemns violence, intimidation, arbitrary detention, and all forms of harassment against journalists, warning that such acts directly target democracy and peace. It also stresses that impunity for crimes against media professionals constitutes not only a grave violation of individual rights, but also undermines collective institutions and jeopardizes security.

The statement notes that when journalists’ voices are silenced, societies are deprived of the information they need to make informed decisions and resolve disputes peacefully.

Khondker M. Talha (President of the UNESCO General Conference), Annalena Baerbock (President of the United Nations General Assembly), Lok Bahadur Thapa (President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council), Sidharto R. Suryodipuro (President of the United Nations Human Rights Council), and Dr. Nasser bin Hamad Al Henzab (Chairperson of the UNESCO Executive Board) also addressed the requirements for media operations in the digital age.

The signatories examined both the opportunities and threats posed by emerging technologies, emphasizing that while digital platforms facilitate access to information and civic participation, they also increase the risk of amplifying harmful content, intensifying social polarization, and further eroding trust in credible media and information sources.

Accordingly, strengthening media and information literacy, providing financial and legal support for professional journalism, and establishing and supporting transparent and accountable information ecosystems were identified as essential steps toward aligning technological progress with the goals of peace and sustainable development.

In conclusion, the heads of key United Nations bodies called on all governments, media organizations, universities, civil society, the private sector, and people around the world to renew their commitment to freedom of expression on this symbolic day. They called for guarantees of journalists’ professional and personal safety, reforms to legislation in support of free media, and the promotion of an environment in which dialogue replaces division.

The statement’s final message emphasizes that a future defined by peace, security, and sustainable development cannot be achieved without transparency, accountability, and the free flow of information.