World Press Freedom Day Discussions Highlight Challenges in Digital Age

Discussions about press freedom are ongoing worldwide. This day is officially celebrated worldwide every year on May 3. Programs related to this day are organized around May 3. Various programs related to this day are also being organized in Nepal. This year, 2026, is no exception, with some programs scheduled in Nepal. In a context where the state has often shown disinterest in celebrating this day, the current government also appears to be no exception. No program related to this day, considered important in advocating for journalistic freedom, professionalism, and security, has been publicly announced by the Nepali government. The Namibian city of Windhoek, in 1991, hosted a conference of African journalists that issued the 'Windhoek Declaration' on press freedom on May 3. The declaration emphasized the establishment of a free, pluralistic, and independent press. Remembering this day, the United Nations General Assembly officially declared May 3 as World Press Freedom Day in 1993. Since then, this day has been regularly celebrated worldwide starting from 1994. UNESCO sets a theme for this day every year. Throughout the year, it organizes activities related to that theme and encourages other organizations to conduct various activities. Through such activities, discussions are held worldwide on the fundamental principles of press freedom, and an attempt is made to assess the state of press freedom. On the occasion of this day, there is also an objective to pay tribute to journalists who lost their lives while performing their professional duties and to express commitment to democracy and a free press. A major objective of this day is also to alert governments to prevent interference and attacks on press freedom. In today's digital age, when the challenge of misinformation and disinformation is increasing, it is no exaggeration to say that the relevance of this day has further increased. UNESCO is organizing an international conference as the main event related to this day in Lusaka, Zambia, on May 4 and 5. UNESCO has set the theme for this year's day as 'Shaping a Future at Peace: Promoting Press Freedom for Human Rights, Development and Security'. In simple terms, in Nepali, its conceptual translation can be 'Building a Peaceful Future: Promoting Press Freedom for Human Rights, Development and Security'. In a global context where concerns are being expressed about the future of journalism, it must be accepted that this theme has timeless significance to reawaken consciousness about the purpose and responsibility of journalism in Nepal and the entire world. In Nepal's changing political context, the importance of this theme has become even more relevant. This subject, or theme, is not only very important in itself but also more meaningful compared to the past. Based on this theme, it is believed that discussions will be held in programs organized on the occasion of this day about the contribution of independent journalism to world peace, democracy, and sustainable development, as well as the security of journalists, the challenge of misinformation, and the impact of artificial intelligence on journalism. Indeed, there is no doubt that this theme is very important and relevant. It can be considered that it emphasizes peacebuilding through information accuracy and journalistic ethics. Through this theme, which accepts the reality that promoting press freedom is essential for human rights, development, and security, the timeless importance of journalism is aimed to be conveyed to the world. It cannot be denied that today's journalism is compelled to be guided by technology. Especially after the development of the internet, the intervention of technology in communication and journalism has increased, and it is no exaggeration to say that both its good and bad effects have been felt. In today's world where journalism seems impossible without digital technology, the style of practicing journalism has also been widely affected. What needs to be understood is that only the style has been affected, the principles, core essence, and objectives of journalism have not changed. In a global context where concerns are being expressed about the future of journalism, it must be accepted that this theme has timeless significance to reawaken consciousness about the purpose and responsibility of journalism in Nepal and the entire world. In Nepal's changing political context, the importance of this theme has become even more relevant. This subject, or theme, is not only very important in itself but also more meaningful compared to the past. One thing is certain: UNESCO's theme this time proves that it is serious about the eternal responsibilities of journalism. Yes, internet-based digital technology has accelerated the means of journalism. It has also attempted to make it effective. It has facilitated the rapid dissemination of information to the general public. It has moved journalism from the domain of professional journalists to the domain of citizen journalism. Whether some of the above-mentioned aspects are appropriate or inappropriate, debates will continue. However, the current situation has prompted serious thought on two matters. First, the weakening of the creative and credibility aspects of journalism. Second, the increasing state intervention in the press in the name of managing and regulating digital technology. These are the main reasons why press, thought, and freedom of expression are experienced to be at risk in today's world, and many questions are arising in the context of human rights, development, and security. It is not wrong to say that due to journalists adopting easy work styles with a lazy approach, the influence of modern technologies like 'algorithms' has increased excessively, and the original form of journalism is being eroded. The process of human thinking and opinion formation is being affected due to the uncontrolled, unscientific, and irrelevant use of technology. And, if the media cannot intervene positively, should we think about the style and effectiveness of the media or press? Should we analyze whether all these things are related to human rights, development, and security? Debate is expected. In today's world, due to various mechanisms used in information collection and dissemination, today's person is becoming insecure at every step. To such an extent that technology has established control even over personal preferences regarding what people like or dislike to hear, see, and read. Not to mention personal facts and data. Based on this, a question can be asked: Is there a possibility that governments in today's world will attempt to challenge citizens' fundamental rights by using/misusing modern communication technology? The use of technology has made journalism competitive. In the greed for rapid information dissemination and in the expectation of receiving more likes, comments, and shares than others, journalists are hastily disseminating information they have through journalistic means without processing it. Human rights are most affected by this. The trend of rapid information dissemination does not follow the editorial process and the concept of 'gatekeeping' necessary to establish the truth of the information. This certainly creates a crisis of credibility in the news. Nepal is no exception. Currently, the media here are forced to face a crisis of credibility. A major reason for this is this digital technology-based competition. Today's journalism is so affected by technology that challenges are progressively increasing in terms of the possibility of people being able to compete. Currently, robots and artificial intelligence are being used in journalism. It is not unnatural to say that such extensive use of technology is gradually pushing journalism towards dependency. In such a situation, the possibility of a crisis in the originality of journalism cannot be denied. The UNESCO theme is undoubtedly relevant in the context of Nepal. With the development of the internet, new media have emerged very strongly. It has brought the use of social media and online platforms within the reach of the general public. The notion that one must be a journalist for information dissemination is gradually being rejected. There is only one solution for this: the proactivity of journalists. Journalists need to be proactive instead of relying on technology-driven content. Only in the presence of this situation can the theme set by UNESCO achieve its meaning; otherwise, the state of journalism is certain to decline day by day. Governments that believe in controlling information and opinions might be happy with this situation, but for the general public who are forced to lose their rights, there will be no greater tragedy than this. As discussed above, Nepal is not an exception to the above situation. In Nepal, problems have arisen due to the impact of digital technology in recent times, and state intervention in the field of journalism has been experienced in the name of systematic management and regulation. In some contexts, journalism is experienced to be suffering from mental pressure. It cannot be disagreed that journalism will find it difficult to achieve its defined goals in the presence of problems related to information collection, editing, and dissemination, as well as uncertainty in advertising and business. In such a situation, it is not easy for UNESCO's theme to gain meaning. The UNESCO theme is undoubtedly relevant in the context of Nepal. With the development of the internet, new media have emerged very strongly. It has brought the use of social media and online platforms within the reach of the general public. The notion that one must be a journalist for information dissemination is gradually being rejected. However, the storm of information disseminated through digital platforms accessible to the general public has created a crisis of credibility, and there is no doubt about this. Based on this, it can be said that journalism is losing its original importance and process. This is why UNESCO has tried to jolt the entire world through its theme. Let us hope that stakeholders will become active towards creating the necessary environment for ensuring human development and security through the promotion of press freedom.