Press Freedom is Democracy – EU Ambassador at World Press Freedom Day 2026

Press Freedom is Democracy - EU Ambassador at World Press Freedom Day 2026

"Shaping a Future at Peace: Promoting Press Freedom for Human Rights, Development and Security"

On 30 April 2026, EU Ambassador to Mongolia Ina Marčiulionytė delivered opening remarks at a national discussion marking World Press Freedom Day 2026, held at the Press Institute Information Center in Ulaanbaatar. The event was organised by the National Network on Freedom of Expression, with support from the UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Asia and the Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO.

The discussion brought together approximately 80 participants, including government representatives, media organisations, journalists, lawyers, civil society organisations, and international partners. Video messages were delivered by UN Resident Coordinator Jaap van Hierden and UNESCO Regional Bureau Director Professor Shahbaz Khan.

"A peaceful and secure Mongolia cannot exist without free and independent media. Protecting press freedom means protecting democracy, and our shared future." - Ambassador Ina Marčiulionytė, EU Delegation to Mongolia

In her remarks, Ambassador Marčiulionytė highlighted Mongolia's democratic achievements since its peaceful transition in 1990 and underlined the vital link between media freedom and security. She noted that access to reliable information strengthens societal resilience, counters disinformation, and enables citizens to make informed decisions.

The Ambassador also drew attention to structural challenges facing Mongolia's media landscape, including the closure of local media outlets, financial pressures undermining editorial independence, and renewed cases of intimidation and harassment of journalists, bloggers, and civil society actors.

"Security and freedom of expression are not opposing goals - they reinforce each other. Limiting fundamental freedoms in the name of control ultimately weakens both democracy and long-term stability." - Ambassador Ina Marčiulionytė

Ambassador Marčiulionytė called for the adoption of improved whistleblower protection legislation, noting that the draft law has been under parliamentary consideration for many years. She also cautioned against possible restrictive social media regulations and reintroduction of defamation provisions already flagged by the Constitutional Court.

The event featured presentations on UNESCO's 2022-2025 Global Trends in Journalism report, journalist safety, and restrictions on public access to information. Discussions covered press freedom as a human right, the public's right to information, and the obligation of public officials to provide information. The National Freedom of Expression Network also presented a draft statement addressed to parliamentarians urging legislative action on media freedom.

The 2026 World Press Freedom Day conference is part of a broader programme that includes a case-based online campaign highlighting violations of journalists' professional rights, a survey targeting over 200 journalists to assess the prevalence of attacks and harassment - with a focus on female journalists - and an online legal training for members of the Mongolian Bar Association on freedom of expression and press freedom standards.

Background

World Press Freedom Day is observed annually on 3 May. The National Network on Freedom of Expression comprises Globe International Center, the Press Institute of Mongolia, the Mongolian Bar Association, Amnesty International Mongolia, the Judicial General Council, the National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia, and the Mongolian Advocates Association. The event is supported by the UNESCO Multi-Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists.

The European Union is a longstanding partner of Mongolia in supporting democratic governance, rule of law, and human rights, including freedom of expression and media freedom.

For further inquiries

Burtguljin Tumentsogt | Press and Information Officer | Delegation of the European Union to Mongolia | [email protected]