Independent News Outlets Unite on World Press Freedom Day
On World Press Freedom Day, 13 independent news organizations from Southeast Asia have come together to voice their concerns about the future of journalism. They released a joint manifesto highlighting how Big Tech, artificial intelligence, and rampant online misinformation threaten public interest journalism.
Among the signatories is the Daily Guardian, joined by well-known outlets such as Rappler, Malaysiakini, and Mizzima Media. The group emphasizes that journalists face a serious crisis, even as they continue to report on conflicts and disasters around the world.
The manifesto outlines three major issues that are undermining the availability of reliable information:
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Algorithms and Information Access: The groups pointed out that major tech platforms, which billions rely on for news, use algorithms that obscure important facts. Notably, Meta’s decision to prioritize other content over news on Facebook has cut off many media organizations from their audiences.
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Economic Challenges for Journalism: Big Tech’s monopolization of the digital landscape has severely damaged the economics of journalism. The manifesto describes AI content scrapers as “parasitic,” taking journalistic efforts without compensating the original sources, while altered algorithms reduce visibility and website traffic for news outlets. As of April 2026, more than 76% of global digital ad revenue is controlled by these tech giants, primarily Facebook and Google.
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Rise of Disinformation: The document warns of the increasing prevalence of misinformation, fueled by AI-generated content that erodes trust and credibility online. The manifesto starkly states, “Trust is dead on the internet.”
These challenges have led to widespread layoffs in the journalism sector, forcing many journalists to leave the profession and contributing to the closure of news organizations.
The signatories called for a digital landscape that promotes verified information instead of suppressing it. They argued for algorithms that prioritize the needs of users over the profits of tech companies and emphasized the need for solutions that support independent media against monopolistic forces and authoritarian regimes.
They also encouraged collaboration among news organizations, communities, and civic groups, stating, “Only by working together can we reclaim the internet for human flourishing.”
The full list of signing news organizations includes:
- Daily Guardian (Iloilo, Philippines)
- Davao Today (Davao City, Philippines)
- Kiripost (Cambodia)
- Mabuhay (Philippines)
- Malaysiakini (Malaysia)
- Mindanews (Mindanao, Philippines)
- Mizzima Media (Myanmar)
- Mountain Beacon (Baguio City, Philippines)
- Palawan News (Palawan, Philippines)
- PressOne.PH (Philippines)
- Rappler (Philippines)
- SunStar Cebu (Cebu, Philippines)
- Tempo (Indonesia)
