The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Representative on Freedom of the Media are pleased to invite you to a side event to the 2025 World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) celebration in Brussels. 

For in-person participation, registration is required before 30 April 2025: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=2zWeD09UYE-9zF6kFubccKQt2YItJXlLvqBb86C1tQxUNjhZNVcxSTNHS0lDMDY4Q1hIWDBLTkREQy4u

The event will take place in the Conference Room of the United Nations House in Brussels, Belgium (Boulevard du Régent 37-40, 1000 Brussels) 

For online participation, please connect through the Teams platform:
Meeting ID: 356 626 140 303 8
Passcode: 4an9FQ3H

Background

The side event will address the growing influence of AI-driven companies and platforms on access to information and media pluralism. Powered by complex algorithms, these platforms often prioritize content driven by their interests over diverse, unbiased information. The dominance of a few powerful players in the AI and media sectors raises significant concerns about the concentration of media power, undermining pluralism and limiting democratic discourse. The discussion will explore regulatory measures and alternative solutions to enhance diversity, ensuring that all voices are heard, and that the public has access to information that reflects the complexity and breadth of society.

Introductory remarks by the OHCHR Regional Office in Europe

Panellists:

Ambassador Jan Braathu, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (online)

Ms Irene Khan, United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression 

Ms Anna Herold, Head of the Audiovisual and Media Services Policy Unit at the European Commission

Ms Maria Luisa Stasi, Head of Law and Policy for Digital Markets, Article 19

Ms Maryia Sadouskaya Komlach, Global Engagement Strategist, Free Press Unlimited

Moderation

Mr Renaud de Villaine, Media Freedom and Safety of Journalists Adviser, OHCHR

Documentation

• Invitation
• Briefs:
  • Self-protection measures to respond to threats to journalists
  • How international human rights standards and mechanisms help protect journalists
  • Key asks for state regulation of AI