Journalism has never been more dangerous, EBU Vice President and Director General of Swedish Radio Cilla Benkö warned today during a special event in Ukraine ahead of World Press Freedom Day.

Speaking at ‘The Frontline of Truth – Reporting During Wartime’, hosted by the Swedish Embassy in Kyiv, Cilla sounded the alarm over escalating threats to journalists worldwide, mounting political pressure on public service media, and the spread of authoritarian practices.

“Every journalist killed is not only a deep tragedy for their loved ones, but a blow to democracy itself," she said. "When journalists are silenced, the world becomes smaller, narrower, and more vulnerable to propaganda."

145 journalists and media workers were killed in 2024*1 and more than 550 remain imprisoned worldwide*2. "These dark statistics must be a wake-up call," she stressed. "The repression of free media is often the first step towards wider repression."

During her speech, Cilla highlighted the global threats to media freedom, with particular concern for the growing political pressures being placed on public service broadcasters - a trend she said is accelerating with the rise of authoritarian politicians.

"In wartime, trustworthy media is more important than ever," Cilla said, pointing to the role of Ukraine’s national public broadcaster, Suspilne, in providing reliable information amid Russia’s ongoing aggression. "If you have trustworthy media with a big reach, you have the best counterpart towards propaganda and disinformation."

Mykola Chernotytskyi, Head of the Managing Board of Suspilne Ukraine and EBU Executive Board Member, also addressed the gathering, emphasising the critical work of the broadcaster in recent years.

He said: “The full-scale invasion confirmed one simple thing: when people need reliable news, they turn to public service media…Suspilne creates a safe, independent news space. No panic - just facts, context, and clear reporting. That’s the kind of journalism a country at war needs.”

Suspilne’s verified, ad-free journalism now attracts over 13.4 million social media followers (up from 2.4 million at the time of the invasion) and, this month, its Novyny YouTube channel hit 1 million subscribers. Its reporters not only cover the front lines - they document suspected war crimes and provide context to events. Last year, Suspilne also shared almost 1,700 videos with European broadcasters via the EBU News Exchange, playing a vital role in telling Ukraine’s story to the world.

Cilla Benkö’s appearance in Kyiv marks her second visit to Ukraine since the full-scale invasion, underscoring Sweden's ongoing support for Ukrainian media and democracy. Swedish Radio and Suspilne have collaborated closely since 2017 to strengthen public service journalism under difficult conditions.

Cilla, whose Swedish Radio celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, closed her address with a stark reminder: "Will there still be a free press in another 100 years? I don’t know. But it is worth fighting for - and the battle is happening right now."

*1 International News Safety Institute Annual Report on media casualties 

*2 Reporters Without Borders Round-Up 2024