On 3 May, World Press Freedom Day was celebrated under the theme “Shaping a Future of Peace”. This message is particularly important at a time when, across the world, journalists and independent media are facing growing pressure, even as reliable and accessible information remains essential to dialogue, citizen participation and conflict prevention.
As Reporters Without Borders announced with the release of its 2026 World Press Freedom Index, press freedom is now at its lowest level in 25 years. According to the indicators used by the organisation to assess press freedom worldwide, more than half of all countries are now classified as being in a “difficult” or “very serious” situation. Shrinking civic space, wars, restrictions on access to information, the criminalisation of journalism, national policies and security laws are all contributing to the deterioration of working conditions for journalists across every continent and in many of the contexts where Fondation Hirondelle operates.
This situation reflects the daily realities faced by many journalists and independent media outlets around the world. It is a reminder of how fragile access to reliable information remains, even though it is an essential pillar for building peace.
The Zambian government’s last-minute cancellation of RightsCon 2026 — a major event dedicated to human rights in the digital age that was due to take place in Lusaka from 5 to 8 May — is a further sign of the growing restrictions affecting spaces for dialogue and the defence of fundamental freedoms. Fondation Hirondelle, which had planned to attend, signed the joint statement by the Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD), of which it is a member, and IFIX, condemning this decision as a direct attack on freedom of expression, civic space and the right to assembly.
In this worrying global context for the future of journalism, World Press Freedom Day is more important than ever as a moment to reaffirm how essential it is to preserve free and independent information in order to build peaceful and democratic societies. The Executive Director of the GFMD reflects on these issues in an op-ed available here.
In the face of shrinking freedoms and growing pressure on the media, supporting independent journalism is more necessary than ever. For more than 30 years, Fondation Hirondelle has been supporting journalists and local media in fragile contexts to help ensure access to reliable information. To learn more about our peacebuilding activities, visit our dedicated page.
In the DRC, journalists are facing precarious working conditions and political pressure. Listen to Studio Hirondelle-RDC programme here in french.
Journalism in Niger: different perspectives on the future of the profession. A discussion highlighting the challenges and opportunities facing the new generation of journalists. Listen to the programme here in french.