Beirut: Under the global theme 'Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media', UNESCO marked World Press Freedom Day 2025 with a celebration on 5 May, held under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Paul Morcos, Minister of Information. The event brought together media professionals, technology and AI experts, government representatives, civil society actors, and young journalists to reflect on the evolving relationship between technology and media in an era shaped by artificial intelligence.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the celebration began with opening remarks from Ms. Costanza Farina, Director of UNESCO Beirut Office, and H.E. Minister Paul Morcos. Both emphasized the critical importance of safeguarding the fundamental right to freedom of expression while also recognizing the transformative potential of AI for the media sector. H.E. Dr. Paul Morcos stated that press freedom is a right that must be preserved with vigilance and that journalism and technology must evolve together to uphold principles of truth, democracy, and human dignity.
Ms. Costanza Farina highlighted that AI brings both promise and risks to Lebanon. While it creates new opportunities for global connection and amplifying underrepresented voices, it also poses challenges such as misinformation and digital manipulation. These issues are significant in Lebanon, where media independence often faces pressure. UNESCO has supported Lebanon in navigating these technological shifts, working with the Ministry of Information to promote a free, pluralistic, and inclusive media landscape.
The event also launched a Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Campaign by UNESCO, in partnership with the Ministry of Information and the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF). The campaign aims to raise public awareness on critical thinking and equip citizens to identify and combat fake news and disinformation.
UNESCO further contributed by handing over six cameras to field reporters from the National News Agency (NNA) and T©l© Liban. These reporters had acquired fact-checking skills through a training program focused on combating disinformation and upholding media integrity.
A series of interactive thematic sessions featured media professionals, AI experts, policymakers, and academics discussing the practical and ethical implications of AI in media. Topics included AI's role in disinformation, its effect on news production, and the challenges it poses to editorial independence.
The discussions underscored the need for robust safeguards and inclusive governance frameworks to protect press freedom. Young university students from the Youth Newsroom initiative actively participated, adding a hands-on learning component to the event through coverage and story production.
World Press Freedom Day 2025 served as a platform to examine how AI can support and challenge the free flow of information, enhance press freedom, and contribute to democratic consolidation and sustainable development. It reaffirmed UNESCO's commitment to promoting a media landscape that is free, inclusive, and grounded in human rights standards, aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 16.10 to ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms.