Warsaw, September 28, 2026: On World News Day 2026, the International Union of Journalists (IUJ) has reaffirmed that independent, accurate, ethical and fact-based journalism remains essential to informed societies, democratic discourse and the public’s right to know.
Observed annually on September 28, World News Day coincides with the United Nations’ International Day for Universal Access to Information. The 2026 global campaign carries the message: “Know the facts. Understand what matters. Choose Trusted Journalism.”
IUJ President Carlos Felipe Villa Prado, General Secretary Z.A. Muhammad, and Spokesperson & Chief Coordinator Masood Chaudhary paid tribute to journalists worldwide who continue to gather, verify and report information, often while working in difficult and dangerous circumstances.
IUJ said the rapid spread of misinformation, manipulated content, deepfakes and AI-generated material has made professional journalism and rigorous fact-checking more important than ever. Journalism, the Union stressed, requires verification, responsible sourcing, accountability, transparency and a clear distinction between facts, analysis and opinion.
IUJ President Carlos Felipe Villa Prado said World News Day is an opportunity for the global journalism community to reaffirm its commitment to independent and trustworthy journalism.
“Reliable information is fundamental to society. Journalists have a responsibility to seek the truth, verify facts and provide the public with information that enables people to understand the world around them,” he said.
IUJ General Secretary Z.A. Muhammad emphasized that journalism is a public responsibility and called for greater protection of journalists and press freedom.
“In an environment where misinformation can travel faster than verified news, journalists must remain committed to facts, evidence, professional ethics and the public interest. The credibility of journalism depends on our willingness to verify before we publish and to correct when we are wrong,” he said.
IUJ Spokesperson & Chief Coordinator Masood Chaudhary said the credibility of journalism ultimately rests on facts, evidence and professional integrity.
“Journalists must remain committed to asking difficult questions, following the evidence and giving the public verified information, even when the facts are inconvenient for those in positions of power. A free press is meaningful only when journalists are able to work independently and the public has access to reliable information,” he said.
The International Union of Journalists called upon governments, political institutions, technology companies and media organizations to respect the independence of journalism, safeguard journalists and strengthen public access to reliable information.
IUJ also called for greater protection for journalists working in conflict zones and under political, legal or economic pressure, emphasizing that press freedom cannot be meaningful without the safety, dignity and professional independence of journalists.
On World News Day, IUJ urged journalists worldwide to uphold the highest standards of professional journalism, verify information before publication, protect legitimate sources, distinguish facts from claims and opinion, and correct errors transparently.
International Union of Journalists (IUJ)