The United Nations marked World Press Freedom Day with a stark warning: Governments are increasingly trying to silence independent media.

The erosion of press freedom threatens democracy itself, UNESCO Secretary General Khaled El-Enany said in a joint statement with leaders of other U.N. governing bodies on May 3.

“We unequivocally condemn the killings of journalists and media workers, as well as all acts of violence, intimidation and harassment against them,” the statement said. “Such crimes strike at the very heart of democracy and peace.”

At World Press Freedom’s annual awards luncheon, The Globe and Mail’s Mark MacKinnon won the Career Achievement Award for his ongoing coverage of the world’s conflicts.

In a Q&A with WPFC, MacKinnon spoke about the increasing risks facing journalists who are being targeted and killed by militaries in conflict zones. U.N. resolutions assert journalists are civilians who should be protected.

“You almost feel like you’re adding an element of danger by identifying yourself as press if you’re approaching many of today’s militaries,” he said. 

Toronto Star reporter Frédérik Plante was honoured with the press freedom prize in recognition of his personal commitment to an access-to-information battle with the government of Quebec. Read more about the winners here.

Plante accepted the award on behalf of journalists in the Palestinian territories who are targeted by the Israeli Defence Force.

He said his own effort “amounts to nothing compared to what our colleagues in the Middle East have been going through.” 

He noted the Committee to Protect Journalists has reported that Israel is responsible for killing more than 260 journalists and media workers since Hamas attacked Israeli civilians on Oct. 7, 2023.

The WPFC luncheon at Ottawa’s National Arts Centre drew a sold-out crowd of 300. The event was attended by senior journalists, business leaders, senators and MPs, including David Myles, the parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture. A dozen ambassadors and diplomats from allied countries also participated.