Today, 28 September, news organisations around the world are marking World News Day – a global campaign highlighting the vital role of trusted journalism in informing the public and strengthening democracy.

More than 1,000 news organisations and support agencies across more than 100 countries are taking part in this year’s campaign, which runs from 25 September to 1 October, with 28 September as the focal day.

World News Day was founded in 2018 with 17 participating organisations. Last year, the campaign reached more than 1,000 publishers across 108 countries and 17 languages.

The campaign coincides with the United Nations’ International Day for Universal Access to Information, recognising the importance of people having access to reliable information and the ability to make informed decisions.

Across the world, journalism is facing significant challenges. Newsroom closures and shrinking budgets have reduced the resources available for original reporting, while AI-generated content, misinformation and disinformation increasingly compete with journalism for public attention.

World News Day is an opportunity to recognise the work journalists do every day to report the facts, provide context, investigate issues of public importance and hold those in positions of power to account.

Its message is simple: know the facts, understand what matters and choose trusted journalism – because it is your right to know.

Ireland has a long tradition of independent journalism, with news organisations playing an important role in informing citizens and contributing to an open and democratic society.

An Taoiseach Micheál Martin has shown his support for the campaign with the following message:

“Ireland has a proud tradition of trusted, independent journalism — a vital part of our democracy that informs the public, holds power to account and helps shape the society we live in.

But the information environment has never been more challenging. Misinformation, deepfakes and increasingly sophisticated AI-generated content can blur the line between fact and fiction, making it harder than ever to know what — and who — we can trust.

When the facts themselves are increasingly contested, the value of independent, professional journalism becomes even clearer. On World News Day, we should recognise the vital contribution that trusted Irish journalism makes to our democracy every day, providing people with reliable information, scrutiny and a shared understanding of the issues that matter.“

World News Day is presented by the World Editors Forum, Project Kontinuum ,The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF), and fully supported by NewsBrands Ireland.

More details here