(AGENPARL) – Fri 02 May 2025 Image
PRESS RELEASE
Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
Ref. CG032(2025)
World Press Freedom Day 2025:
“AI must help local media to flourish, not cut it off”, says Congress Human Rights Rapporteur
“At a time when local and regional media are in decline due to the rise of social media and global media platforms, AI can be valuable for investigative reporting and appealing content, creation, including for local and regional media. It can also free-up journalists’ time for original and investigative reporting”, said Ms Lepoultier.
“Nonetheless, there remain challenges to be addressed in the digital transformation of local and regional media. These include the fact that AI-generated content can be misleading, spread disinformation and undermine trust in local journalism. Local and regional media also have limited resources to train staff and journalists on the best use of AI and other new technologies.  This has a direct impact on their ability to thrive in the new digital environment and ensure the quality of modern local media content.
“On this World Press Freedom Day, I call on local, regional and national governments, to play their part in ensuring the protection and support that local and regional media require, including by making best use of AI systems that help local communities access the quality news they need, as a vital element of local communities and democracies.”
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities is an institution of the Council of Europe, responsible for strengthening local and regional democracy in its 46 member states. Composed of two chambers – the Chamber of Local Authorities and the Chamber of Regions – and three committees, it brings together 612 elected officials representing more than 130 000 local and regional authorities.
President of the Congress: Marc Cools (Belgium, ILDG), President of the Chamber of Local Authorities: Bernd Vöhringer (Germany, EPP/CCE), President of the Chamber of Regions: Cecilia Dalman Eek (Sweden, SOC/G/PD).
Political groups: Group of Socialists, Greens and Progressive Democrats (SOC/G/PD), Group of the European Peoples Party (EPP/CCE), Independent Liberal and Democratic Group (ILDG), European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR).
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Council of Europe/Conseil de l’Europe, Avenue de l’Europe, Strasbourg, . 67000 France