Introduction
On Tuesday, June 24, 2025, the European Union Delegation in Geneva hosted an impactful panel under the title “Speaking Truth to Power: Defending Media Freedom in Times of Crisis,” featuring United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Opinion, Irene Khan, and renowned Swedish journalist Gunilla von Hall. The event addressed the pressing challenges faced by journalists worldwide, underscoring the vital importance of press freedom and the need for independent, fact-based journalism as a cornerstone of democratic societies.
All speakers highlighted the essential role of journalism in times of crisis and conflict, often carried out under precarious conditions by international correspondents or local reporters, especially when access is restricted or visas are denied. Thanks to these professionals, many of whom risk their lives, we gain critical insight into global events. Their work not only informs but also supports justice, accountability, and collective memory.
Michele Cervone D’Urso: Media Freedom as a Democratic Pillar
EU Ambassador Michele Cervone D’Urso opened with a stark warning: multilateralism as the foundation of cooperative international relations is increasingly under threat, and with it, the very structure that protects fundamental rights, including freedom of the press. He stressed that media freedom is not a side issue but a cornerstone of the human rights pillar.
Cervone D’Urso noted that the global media landscape is plagued by disinformation, threats, and violence, which he described as forces that not only endanger individual journalists but also corrode democratic institutions. According to him, the past year was the deadliest for journalists in three decades, a grim statistic that likely underrepresents the full scope of abuses, as many violations go unreported. The Ambassador’s remarks underscored the urgency of reinforcing protections for journalists as a way of safeguarding broader democratic norms.
Irene Khan: The Global Struggle for Truth and Accountability
UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan offered both a personal and global perspective. Reflecting on her childhood in 1970s Bangladesh during the war of independence, she described the BBC as a “lifeline” and a trusted source of information in times of chaos. That early experience shaped her deep understanding of the role of journalism during conflict and her current mandate: ensuring journalists can do their jobs without fear of persecution.
Khan highlighted the disproportionate risks faced by local journalists, particularly in conflict zones like Gaza, where nearly 160 have been killed, and foreign press access is virtually nonexistent. Despite being civilians protected under international humanitarian law, journalists are frequently targeted because they serve as witnesses and collectors of evidence. With 1,800 journalists killed over the last 30 years and a mere 2% of those cases resulting in proper accountability, impunity remains one of the most serious threats to press freedom.
She pointed to Mexico as the most dangerous country for journalists, where organized crime and political corruption foster a culture of intimidation. But the threats are evolving: instead of physical attacks, many journalists now face strategic litigation against public participation (SLAPP), a tactic employed by private actors and politicians to silence dissent through costly legal battles.
Khan also addressed the structural issues degrading press freedom: the impact of social media algorithms that trap users in echo chambers, the rise of media ownership concentration, and declining journalistic standards driven by profit motives. She called for greater digital literacy and a return to face-to-face community engagement as ways to counter polarization and distrust. The right to freedom of expression, she emphasized, is the bedrock upon which all other human rights depend.
Gunilla von Hall: A Journalist’s Witness
Gunilla von Hall, a veteran foreign correspondent for Svenska Dagbladet, offered an unflinching account of her work documenting atrocities in some of the world’s most dangerous conflict zones. During the 1994 Rwandan genocide, she witnessed unspeakable horrors without initially understanding the full scale of the violence. The images she captured would later serve as critical evidence in international tribunals, underlining the irreplaceable role of journalists as witnesses to history.
Her current work in Russia illustrates the escalating risks faced by foreign correspondents. After being detained and interrogated at customs, she described the chilling sense of constant surveillance and control. With laws criminalizing the use of the word “war” in reference to Ukraine, the environment for press freedom has become increasingly hostile.
Von Hall recalled similar dangers in Bosnia in 1992, where journalists, once considered off-limits, became deliberate targets. Today, reporters in Ukraine often avoid identifying themselves as press to reduce their risk, which she identified as a telling reversal of the presumed protection once offered by a press badge.
She also spoke of the erosion of trust in journalism, even in democratic countries like the United States, where she faced scorn and suspicion from young, educated Americans who rely exclusively on social media or partisan news outlets. The challenges now include not just surviving physical threats but also navigating a global culture of distrust, censorship, and disinformation.
To address these issues, von Hall advocated for stronger legal protections for journalists and their sources, better fact-checking mechanisms, and collaboration among journalists to preserve credibility and safety. She emphasized the need for balanced reporting, not only to inform the public but to maintain a shared understanding of reality in an age of information overload.
Conclusion: Protecting the Guardians of Truth
The testimonies of these three speakers converge on a sobering truth: press freedom is in peril, not just in authoritarian regimes but across the globe. Whether through targeted killings, legal harassment, online attacks, or structural distrust, journalists face mounting obstacles that threaten not only their safety but also the public’s right to know.
Yet amid these challenges, the role of the press remains more vital than ever. As conflict, disinformation, and polarization rise, so too does the need for truthful, courageous reporting. The future of democracy and human rights depends on the ability of journalists to bear witness, hold power to account, and keep the public informed.
Defending media freedom is not the responsibility of journalists alone, it is a collective obligation. Governments, institutions, civil society, and citizens all have a role to play in protecting those who risk everything to tell the truth.
