Stand Up for Right to Truth, Urges Secretary-General in World Press Freedom Day Message, Saying Free Media Crucial to Countering Misinformation

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for World Press Freedom Day, observed on 3 May:

Journalists go to the most dangerous places to give voice to the voiceless.

Media workers suffer character assassination, sexual assault, detention, injuries and even death.

We need leaders to defend a free media.  This is crucial to counter prevailing misinformation.  And we need everyone to stand for our right to truth.

On World Press Freedom Day, I call for an end to all crackdowns against journalists — because a free press advances peace and justice for all.

When we protect journalists, their words and pictures can change our world.