Upholding the Pillar of Democracy on World Press Freedom Day

On 2026 World Press Freedom Day (3 May), the European Publishers Council (EPC) stands in unwavering solidarity with journalists, editors, and media workers across Europe and around the globe.

A free, independent, and pluralistic press is not merely a cornerstone of democracy; it is the lifeblood of a free society. It is the mechanism through which European citizens exercise their right to be informed, hold power to account, and engage meaningfully in civic life.

However, we must confront the reality that this fundamental right remains under severe pressure. Across the continent, media professionals face a rising tide of challenges:

• Economic Pressure: serious economic instability that threatens the sustainability and independence of local and national journalism. In addition to the pressure on advertising revenues, media are now facing a new structural shift. Products like the AI Overviews, are changing how citizens access public-interest information online. Users increasingly receive synthesised answers within a gatekeeper’s own interface without visiting publisher websites, shifting attention and commercial value away from the original source and towards the platform.

• Legal Threats: The weaponization of the judicial system through Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), designed to financially and psychologically drain investigative reporters and independent newsrooms.

• Intimidation and Harassment: An alarming increase in physical threats and coordinated online harassment campaigns aimed at silencing critical voices, particularly female and minority journalists.

While we recognise and welcome the recent strides made at the European level to safeguard our industry, legislation is only as strong as its enforcement. We call on the European Commission and national regulators to actively pursue the enforcement of EU's digital regulation such as the DMA and the DSA. To address more specific problems, EPC has introduced two formal competition complaints with the European Commission, on Advertising Technologies and on AI Overviews, to which we hope to see an outcome before it is too late for media plurality.  

We call upon all European governments, institutions, and regulatory bodies to translate these legal protections into tangible, everyday realities. State authorities must proactively foster a safe environment where journalists and the media that support them can operate without fear of censorship, surveillance, or retaliation.

On this day, we also pay tribute to the immense courage of those reporting from the front lines of conflict, particularly in Ukraine and the Middle East, and those working in increasingly authoritarian environments. Their dedication to documenting the truth in the face of extreme danger is a testament to the highest ideals of our profession.

Let us use this World Press Freedom Day to recommit to a simple but vital truth: journalism is a public good. Defending the safety of journalists and the freedom of the press is not just about protecting an industry; it is about defending the democratic future of Europe itself.