Thread by @yoursosteam

Today we are attending this event by the @UN and @UNESCO where our founder @mediaghosts will be speaking with experts such as @MelissaFleming, @antonioguterres, @TawfikJelassi, @vrobecco, @SukirtiDwivedi, @nishantlalwani, @ilyseh and more. Read excerpts from the session below:

Opening remarks are presented by @MelissaFleming. "In the face of digitally imposed barriers, editorial independence should be preserved," she says. This has become more challenging due to issues such as Covid-19, the war in Ukraine, etc.

In a video message, @UN General Secretary @antonioguterres speaks about how corruption, human rights abuses and other problems are silencing journalists from many sides. Media workers in war zones face physical dangers but also digital threats such as misinformation.

"Without freedom of the press, there are no real democratic societies." - @antonioguterres, @UN General Secretary.

Next Abdulla Shahid says, "Journalists render invaluable services to our society." They speak truth to power and hold governments accountable. But digital spaces have made them targets, they receive online abuse which leads to offline violence. Sometimes this even leads to death.

After that @NikosDendias from Greece shares how fake news and disinformation is proliferating today.

Then Cristian Espinosa Cañizares from Ecuador emphasizes how @UN has been highlighting the importance of a free press on May 3 every year as #WorldPressFreedomDay . Even 29 years after this day began to be celebrated, journalists still face attacks online and offline.

"Without professional journalists and media organizations, access to reliable information would be impossible." - Cristian Espinosa Cañizares.

Then @vrobecco shares how since the war in Ukraine began dozens of media professionals have faced attacks resulting in death, injury, intimidation and more. She then presents some shocking facts about how last year several journalists were killed for doing their jobs.

Next @TawfikJelassi mentions how new technology allows us to access more news than before, it also exposes us to digital surveillance and hate speech. "We have seen increasing digital attacks, especially against women journalists," he says.

Then the session continues in the form of an interactive discussion moderated by @guyberger.