Volker Türk: A world without a free press responds to violence with silence.

^{UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk (Middle East)}

May 2, 2026 (PEN) The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, warned of the deteriorating situation of journalists worldwide, stressing that the absence of a free press leads to a world “where indifference prevails and violence is met with silence,” describing the press as “the oxygen of free societies,” in a message on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day.

Turk revealed that 14 journalists have been killed since the beginning of 2026, noting that impunity remains widespread, as only one in ten cases of journalists being killed over the past two decades has been held accountable.

He also noted that around 330 journalists are currently being held, along with 500 citizen journalists and bloggers.

The UN official highlighted dangerous hotspots, saying that the Gaza Strip has turned into a “death trap” for journalists, with nearly 300 killed since October 2023, while Lebanon is expected to be one of the deadliest countries for them until 2026.

Turk added that journalists in Sudan faced "brutal violence and starvation" while carrying out their work.

Turk warned of escalating digital threats, noting that three-quarters of female journalists have been subjected to online abuse, in addition to the misuse of anti-terrorism laws to restrict the media, and the closure of about a third of local news organizations due to lack of funding.

He called on countries to stop persecuting journalists and ensure accountability, stressing that “normalizing attacks on the media leads to the erosion of freedom.”

For his part, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed that “people’s freedom is dependent on press freedom,” warning that artificial intelligence technologies could be used either to promote or restrict freedom of expression.

Every year on May 3rd, the world observes World Press Freedom Day to reaffirm governments’ commitment to protecting media freedom and to honor journalists who have lost their lives while performing their duties.