- ethical technology, gender, media viability
NEWS – By Giovana Fleck
RNW Media joined global voices at UNESCO’s World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) events in Brussels – not just as attendees, but as contributors. We shared our experience working with media in some of the world’s toughest environments.
For us, WPFD isn’t just a symbolic moment. It’s a real opportunity to lift the voices of our partners and frontline journalists. These are the people whose stories often go unheard, yet they shape the global fight for press freedom and journalist safety.
Over two days of powerful side events and the main signature gathering, a clear and urgent narrative emerged: journalists worldwide are facing growing threats and there is a critical need for global solidarity and sustainable support.
These sessions painted a vivid picture, far beyond theoretical discussions. They brought to the forefront the lived realities of those on the frontlines of truth-telling. The messages we heard aligned deeply with RNW Media’s mission to support frontline media workers who are too often unsupported, unheard or targeted.
A standout session, hosted by Article 19 at the Canadian Embassy, focused on the “Equally Safe: Equal Rights on Reporting” project. Journalists from Brazil, Bangladesh and Croatia spoke about the unique dangers women in media face.
Their testimonies highlighted systemic issues of violence, harassment (both online and offline) and the lack of adequate protection and support from local governments and police forces. “If you want good and safe journalism, you need to provide the resources to fight for this,” shared Ana Brakus, CEO of Faktograf.
She and other panelists called for more flexible funding, support for mental health and safety, and practical solutions like access to childcare. “This is our reality, we have been experiencing harassment, death threats on a daily basis. We can’t count on the police. You are asking us to relieve our traumas and experiences. […] We won’t be able to let it go,” said Brakus.
Other sessions focused on journalists reporting from conflict zones like Sudan, Palestine and Ukraine. Speakers described the immense dangers journalists face, from direct targeting and infrastructure destruction to internet shutdowns and the weaponisation of information.
The signature event provided key insights into the complex relationship between AI and journalism. Speakers shared about the potential benefits of how AI could support news production. But many raised concerns on the significant risks AI poses to press freedom – like content cannibalism, algorithmic bias potentially silencing independent voices and the ethical implications of AI-generated content.
RNW Media calls for a human-centered and ethical approach to AI in information ecosystems. We believe that while AI offers opportunities for helping journalists in their reporting process, it must not undermine journalistic integrity, transparency or the safety and livelihoods of journalists. The discussions highlighted the urgency of developing clear ethical guidelines and accountability mechanisms for the development and deployment of AI in the media sector.
Across all sessions, a few key points came through:
Ultimately, our participation in WPFD reaffirmed our commitment with journalists worldwide. The powerful testimonies and discussions, including those on the transformative and potentially disruptive role of AI, will continue to shape our work. We remain committed to building a safer, stronger environment for independent media, so that crucial stories can keep being told.
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