World Press Freedom Day 2025: MIC and UNESCO Call for Responsible AI Use in Media

UNESCO marked World Press Freedom Day 2025 with a sharp focus on the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on journalism, under the theme “Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media.”

According to UNESCO, while AI tools offer “efficiency, multilingual accessibility, and improved data analysis,” they also pose grave risks, including “AI-generated misinformation and disinformation, deepfake technology, biased content moderation, and surveillance threats to journalists.”

Meanwhile, the Media Institute of the Caribbean (MIC) released a parallel statement stating that AI challenges are compounded in the region by fragile economies, shrinking advertising revenues, and disaster vulnerability. MIC President Kiran Maharaj warned, “AI could democratise information access, but without guardrails, it may erode the financial sustainability of Caribbean media. We must advocate for equitable AI governance that prioritises public interest journalism.”MIC also pointed to the risk of AI-driven misinformation during crises and elections, calling for stronger safeguards and regional strategies. Vice President Wesley Gibbings stated, “Caribbean media must adopt AI-driven verification tools and invest in digital literacy programmes. Our survival depends on retaining public trust through accuracy and transparency.”

Both UNESCO and MIC stressed the urgent need for ethical rules and stronger regional cooperation to make sure AI helps, rather than harms, democracy and press freedom.