International Press Freedom DayWhy freedom of the press is important for children and young people
On International Press Freedom Day, public awareness is raised of the importance of free and independent reporting. Freedom of the press is a particularly important asset for democratic societies. It not only enables journalistic work without censorship, but also an informed public discourse.
But what does this mean at a time when information is no longer only disseminated via traditional media, but reaches us millions of times a day via social media, messengers and platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube?
Freedom of the press in times of social media and disinformation
Children and young people in particular are increasingly consuming news via social networks or directly from influencers. It is often unclear: Is it sound information? A personal opinion? Or even targeted disinformation?
International Press Freedom Day is not only a reminder of the rights of journalists worldwide, but also poses the question: How can we prepare young people for the challenges of a digital media landscape?
Tips for parents: empower children to distinguish truth from fake
Today, children and young people move through digital spaces as a matter of course. They encounter information on a daily basis that they find difficult to categorize.
Parents play a key role in guiding their children and sensitizing them to media content. Use Press Freedom Day as an opportunity to start a conversation with your child:
- Where does news you read or listen to come from?
- How do you recognize whether information is credible?
- What role do opinions, advertising or algorithms play in social media?
💡 Our tip: Do your research together. Show them how to check sources, what constitutes quality journalism and why freedom of the press also means that not everything can be said - for example, if it discriminates against or threatens others.
Tips for teachers: Targeted promotion of information literacy
Schools are a central place for teaching news and media skills. Teachers can use low-threshold methods to help people recognize disinformation, question sources and understand different perspectives.
On the occasion of International Press Freedom Day, it makes sense to
- address fake news in the classroom
- check sources together with pupils
- differentiate between opinion and information
- get to know journalistic formats
Dealing with media content not only strengthens students' critical thinking, but also makes it clear how much free media contribute to our society.
Freedom of the press needs protection - and attention
Freedom of the press is not a given everywhere in the world. In many countries, journalists are persecuted, censored or threatened and persecuted. Even in democratic societies, it cannot be taken for granted: online hatred, economic pressure and targeted disinformation campaigns are putting media professionals under increasing pressure.
This makes it all the more important to use International Press Freedom Day to talk about the importance of reliable information and the role of the media in a democracy - with children, young people and adults.
