On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day – May 3rd
His Excellency Ambassador Ahmed Rashid Khattabi, Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Media and Communication Sector at the League of Arab States, delivered an important address on this occasion.
He spoke of a pluralistic, independent, and reliable media environment. Of protecting rights and freedoms. Of combating violence and hatred.
He noted that the world is celebrating this year under the theme "Building a World of Peace," amid devastating wars and the loss of innocent lives — including journalists who pay the ultimate price to convey the truth.
He also mentioned that social media platforms and artificial intelligence, despite their benefits, are spreading genuine concerns about cyber violence and fake content.
All of this is true. And all of it matters.
But let me ask you a different question:
Is it more important for the press to be free, or for it to be truthful?
Freedom alone, without honesty, can become chaos.
And honesty alone, without freedom, remains imprisoned.
But if forced to choose:
Freedom without credibility, or credibility without freedom?
The story begins before the statement, not after
We often see a journalist sitting with an official, an expert, or an activist.
The guest makes a statement. The journalist writes it down. Publishes it. End of story.
But did the journalist ask themselves:
· Does this statement make sense?
· Is there evidence to support it?
· Does it align with established facts?
· Is the speaker serving a personal interest?
It is not shameful for a journalist to trust their sources.
What is shameful is failing to return to the evidence.
Credibility is not a luxury — it is essential
Journalism is not mere transmission.
Journalism means: verify, substantiate, balance, then transmit.
A newspaper that publishes a story without verification loses the trust of its audience.
A channel that repeats contradictory statements without critique becomes a tool in the hands of those with vested interests.
A journalist is not an email inbox.
A journalist is a gatekeeper.
How does journalism earn its credibility?
· By distinguishing between news and opinion.
News reports, opinion comments. They must not be conflated.
· By asking: Who benefits?
Every statement has a background. Every piece of information may serve an agenda.
· By returning to primary sources.
Do not settle for what someone said. Go to the document, the data, the witness, the context.
· By publishing corrections when wrong.
Honesty is not about never erring — it is about acknowledging the error.
Technology is a double-edged sword
Today, artificial intelligence writes news. Digital platforms publish content at lightning speed.
And all of this threatens credibility more than it threatens freedom.
Because freedom requires a conscious journalist.
Chaos only requires a "publish" button.
This is where media literacy — which Ambassador Khattabi spoke of — comes into play.
Literacy that teaches the public how to discern, how to question, how to verify, before they believe.
Conclusion
Press freedom is not an end in itself.
The end is a truth that lights the way.
Journalism without credibility is like a compass without a needle.
Credibility without freedom is like light in a prison cell.
What is needed is journalism that is:
free, responsible, courageous, critical, and capable of saying "no" to those who would exploit it.
And what is needed is a journalist who:
does not write what they are told, but what is proven to them;
does not repeat agendas, but exposes them.
Final word
Better late than never… On World Press Freedom Day, we do not celebrate freedom alone.
We celebrate the journalist who goes to sleep with one question on their mind:
Did I tell the truth today?
Because the truth alone builds peace.
And fake news does not build a world of peace — it tears it down.
—
Lina Hammoud
Nobles Library – The Nobles' Corner
Where words meet responsibility