Today, May 3, 2025, the world observes World Press Freedom Day under the global theme: “Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media.” This year’s observance calls for a deeper reflection not just on the evolving nature of journalism in the digital age, but also on the persistent and emerging threats facing journalists worldwide.
Across the globe, press freedom is under siege. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), 2024 saw the highest number of journalist fatalities in more than three decades, with at least 124 media workers killed, many in conflict zones. In addition to these physical threats, journalists now face digital harassment, misinformation campaigns, and intrusive surveillance, often enabled by artificial intelligence.
In Liberia, the landscape for press freedom remains complex. While the country has made legislative progress in repealing harsh anti-press laws like sedition and criminal defamation, journalists continue to operate in an environment marked by political interference, economic hardship, and subtle forms of censorship.
Liberia’s journalists have reported growing pressures from politicians, security agencies, and even media owners aligned with the ruling elite. These influences often shape editorial decisions and mute critical reporting. Despite constitutional protections, media institutions frequently lack the financial and institutional independence to speak truth to power.
One of the more recent challenges has been the quiet stifling of state media voices. At the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS), several journalists and technicians were dismissed or reassigned in what many observers viewed as politically motivated shakeups. The fear of losing employment has led some reporters to self-censor, especially when covering sensitive topics such as corruption, land disputes, or government failures.
The Press Union of Liberia (PUL), a longstanding advocate for media rights, continues to call for reforms that go beyond legal repeals. It demands robust protections for journalists and a greater investment in independent media. However, the Union itself has faced criticism for not being forceful enough in confronting attacks on press freedom in recent years.
Digital threats also loom large. As social media and artificial intelligence reshape how information is created and consumed, Liberian journalists must adapt to new tools while guarding against manipulation. Deepfake videos, bot-generated disinformation, and AI-powered surveillance now threaten to further distort public discourse and endanger press credibility.
Environmental journalism, an increasingly vital field in climate-vulnerable Liberia, has seen reporters threatened for exposing illegal logging and pollution. Investigative journalists working on environmental and resource governance issues say they lack both security and support, leaving vital stories untold.
The economic reality for many reporters is equally troubling. Low pay, lack of equipment, and no legal protections for freelancers make journalists susceptible to bribes, editorial compromise, and burnout. Without public investment in the sustainability of the media sector, press freedom remains fragile.
Civil society voices have joined the call for a freer and safer press. Activists like Martin Kollie have spoken out about the government’s failure to fully embrace transparency, pointing to a rising culture of fear and retaliation against critical voices in media and public life.
On this World Press Freedom Day, Liberians are reminded that democracy cannot thrive without a fearless and independent press. Freedom of expression is not just a constitutional right; it is the oxygen of accountability, justice, and public service.
To chart a new course, Liberia must invest in digital security training, create legal mechanisms to protect whistleblowers and investigative journalists, and ensure public officials respect, not fear, the media’s role.
The celebration of press freedom must go beyond slogans. It must translate into political will, institutional reforms, and cultural respect for journalism as a public good. Only then can Liberia claim to be a nation truly committed to democratic governance and human rights.
As the global media community reflects on the state of journalism in 2025, Liberia must take stock not just of its progress, but of its persistent failures. Press freedom is not a gift from the state; it is a right that must be demanded, defended, and dignified every single day.
