An event highlighting the importance of press freedom, journalist safety and the strengthening of independent journalism was held at the High Commission of the Republic of Cyprus in London on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day. The event included an open discussion with frontline journalists, focusing on the challenges faced by the media in an increasingly unstable and disinformation‑driven environment.
First‑hand accounts from conflict zones
Speakers shared experiences from covering wars and crises, describing the dangers and pressures journalists face in the field. Testimonies spanned different eras and regions, from Cyprus in 1974 to current conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, with particular emphasis on the challenges encountered by female war correspondents.
Cypriot cameraman and photojournalist Doros Partasides, who documented the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, described the emotional toll of recording the events, saying it was often difficult to even lift the camera due to the horrific scenes he had to capture.
Media increasingly targeted
Sunday Times war correspondent Christina Lamb compared past and present war reporting, noting that journalists today have become direct targets far more often than in earlier decades. She said many reporters now avoid front‑line positions, opting for safer locations, while even hotels hosting journalists have increasingly been targeted.
She also stressed that journalism has become harder worldwide, as many states restrict media access or deliberately obstruct information flows. This, she said, is evident not only in countries such as Iran, where internet access has reportedly been suspended for extended periods, but also in the United States, where President Trump has filed multiple lawsuits against major media organisations, creating financial pressure regardless of court outcomes.
Human stories overlooked
Ukrainian war correspondent and founder of Frontliner, Andriy Dubchak, joined the discussion via video link, arguing that much reporting today focuses excessively on political statements, neglecting human stories that resonate more deeply with audiences. He also highlighted the lack of adequate training for young journalists sent to cover conflict zones.
Alarming press freedom indicators
Felicity Garvey of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) presented recent data showing that global press freedom has fallen to its lowest level in the past 25 years.
Call to protect independent journalism
Participants agreed that protecting journalists and safeguarding media independence is a shared responsibility, particularly amid rising geopolitical tensions and disinformation. Emphasis was placed on the need to educate the public on how journalism works and to rebuild trust in the media.
Opening remarks by EU Ambassador to the United Kingdom Pedro Serrano and Cyprus Deputy High Commissioner Spyros Miltiades underlined the vital role of media freedom, pluralism and journalist safety as pillars of democratic societies.
The event was co‑organised by the High Commission of Cyprus in London and the EU Delegation to the UK, with the support of the Press and Information Office of the Republic of Cyprus, and was held in the context of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The discussion was moderated by Deborah Bonetti, Director of the Foreign Press Association.
Source: CNA
