Brussels, May 2 (SANA) The European Union on Saturday reaffirmed its commitment to press freedom and media independence, calling for accountability for the killing of journalists in Gaza and Lebanon.
In a statement on Saturday, marking World Press Freedom Day 2026, the EU said access to information and freedom of expression are not “luxuries” but essential to democratic governance, stressing that international law requires the protection of journalists at all times.
It described the global situation as “shocking,” noting that 2025 was the deadliest year on record for journalists, with rising cases of killings, injuries, arbitrary detention, and forced displacement.
The EU said crimes against journalists in conflicts, particularly in Gaza, Lebanon, Ukraine, and parts of Africa, must be independently investigated, emphasizing the need to hold perpetrators accountable and end impunity.
It also warned of growing threats to access to information, including intimidation, repression, self-censorship, and abusive legal actions used to silence critical voices, adding that such practices fuel disinformation.
The bloc reaffirmed support for independent media and for UN and UNESCO efforts to protect journalists, stressing continued cooperation to strengthen media pluralism.
World Press Freedom Day is observed annually on May 3, following its designation by the UN General Assembly in 1993 upon UNESCO’s recommendation, commemorating the Windhoek Declaration and honoring journalists killed in the line of duty.
Kh.A
