FCC Statement on World Press Freedom Day 2026 (Sunday, May 3, 2026)

On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day 2026, the Foreign Correspondents’ Club Hong Kong stands in solidarity with journalists and media professionals worldwide, and supports their efforts to continue their work without interference and physical or online violence.

Globally, the state of press freedom is deteriorating. Economic pressures on media outlets, ownership concentration, and the increasing use of AI threatens jobs and creates misinformation and audience distrust among other factors, leading to worsening working conditions for journalists.

Recent figures from Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists show that press freedom is still being undermined by lethal violence and widespread detention of journalists around the world.

In addition, government censorship through actions such as management control of media outlets, blocking of the internet, restricting journalist visas or freedom to travel, and using legal means to silence critics is on the rise.

Independent journalism is essential to truth, accountability, and informed public life, and it must be protected wherever it is under pressure. Journalism is not a crime.