Turk: Freedom of the press is threatened globally and artificial intelligence provides opportunities and deepens the risks

This came in his message on the occasion World Press Freedom Day This year is focused on the impact of artificial intelligence on freedom of the press and the media.

Mr. Turk said that the free press is today more important than ever, “In light of worsening conflicts, climatic chaos, escalating divisions, and changing digital scene at great speed.”

However, media workers are subjected to harassment, detention, torture, and even murder “Just to do their job,” While impunity for the crimes committed against them remains “Widely rated.”

In His message The UN official said that the World Press Freedom Day this year reminds that the restrictions imposed on the media are increasing, “Artificial intelligence restores how to produce information, distribute and consume it radically.”

While he emphasized that artificial intelligence may constitute a useful tool for journalists, he stressed that it also involves the risks of multiple threats to freedom of the press.

He said that the algorithms based on artificial intelligence often dictate what we see, “Our opinions and perceptions of reality are,” Politicians also take advantage of this technology to transform misleading information “To weapons and imposing their own agendas,” Countries use it as a tool for monitoring journalists and their sources, which it has “Scary effects on media workers everywhere.”

The High Commissioner warned against “Almost complete control” On artificial intelligence technology by a small group of companies and individuals, “She can, with a button, spread its views and silence the opposition.”

He stressed that the International Day of the Freedom of the Press provides the opportunity to adhere quickly to changing the path, which begins with the countries that must guarantee the safety of journalists, and protect them from attacks, hatred, monitoring and physical and legal harassment.

The High Commissioner acknowledged the role of decisive technology companies, and announced the launch of new guidelines in cooperation with UNESCO to assess the risks offered by their tools and threaten journalists and critical voices.

He said: “Free, independent and varied media outlets can contribute to bridging divisions in our societies. We must do everything in our power to protect them and allow them to prosper.”