By Emma Giles
As journalists and believers in a free press, World Press Freedom Day (WPFD), on 3 May, is of utmost importance to us. But why should it matter to you? By fostering collaboration, reflection and research, WPFD commemorates the power of a free media in society. It is a day to pay tribute to those who dedicate their lives to promoting and practising truth, democracy, free speech and transparency.
Artificial intelligence (AI), TikTok news and algorithms – how do you separate the wheat from the chaff? Realistically, students around the world, and by extension at Stellenbosch University (SU), do not read the news. Students consume news from anyone who picks up their phone and presses post, not from official publications. We, as the official student newspaper of SU, know this – yet we simply keep reporting.
Press freedom in 2026
With misinformation and unverified sources flooding the internet, it’s difficult to decipher what the truth is. Are you ever tempted to say, “I read somewhere that…” but in reality you watched a 30-second unverified TikTok video and now you think you are an expert? It is easy to become complacent and add to the confusion. How do you resist the algorithm?
“Press freedom has experienced its steepest decline since 2012. This decline is comparable to that seen during the most unstable periods of the 20th century – the two world wars and the Cold War,” said the United Nations (UN) on 3 May.
From left to right: Emma Giles, the Editor-in-Chief of Die Matie student newspaper at Stellenbosch University; Dom Bennett, the Editor of PDBY(formerly Perdeby) at the University of Pretoria; and Erin Arends, the Editor-in-Chief of Activate Media at Rhodes University.
The group networking after a National Student Media Conference on 9 April, where they engaged on the importance of free student media in a South African context. Photo: Jana Burger
Since it was first celebrated in 1993, WPFD and its significance in society has continued to change. The first so-called “media revolution” involved the launch of social media in the late 2000s where suddenly anyone could share or reshare information, regardless of its credibility. In more recent years, we saw the rise of AI where, instead of reading and researching articles, people trust an AI summary at the top of their browser and don’t interrogate the facts further.
According to the UN, this year’s WPFD theme – Shaping a Future at Peace – “offers a critical moment to reaffirm freedom of expression and to align journalism, technology (including AI), and human rights actors around practical ways to strengthen information ecosystems for the future”.
“Freedom of the press is an important and necessary remedy for confusion and corruption. It is probably one of the most valuable defenses we have against enemies of the truth, and a precious instrument for keeping accountable the forces that influence our lives,” said Emma Olivier, the Content Editor at Die Matie.
Die Matie’s ode to World Press Freedom Day
As journalists, dedicated to the truth, we have seen first hand why verified, intentional information matters. Nothing is ever as simple as it first seems. Understanding the full picture almost always requires actually investigating the issue ourselves. We conduct the interviews, we attend the briefings and the sittings, we take the photographs and we read the documents. So when we publish, it matters. Through this we can hold those in power accountable.
This year, Die Matie celebrates 85 years since our founding in 1941 and will be distributing a special print edition in August. This is a victory in a fight for relevance. The current media landscape doesn’t lessen the importance of a free student media, it strengthens it as the truth is difficult to find in a sea of misinformation.
This year, Die Matie celebrates 85 years since its founding in 1941 and will be distributing a special print edition in August. Supplied: Jacolette Kloppers
“Journalists are constantly on the ground,” said Anica Hattingh, the Sport and Photo Editor at Die Matie.
“In a country that suffers from a legitimacy crisis in a number of aspects, the press has ensured accountability, accessibility and justice in a multiplicity of manners,” said Emma Theron, the Head Reporter at Die Matie.
Jana Burger, the Page Editor for the Dag & Nag page at Die Matie echoed this by saying that “press freedom is an integral part of democracy and gives a voice to the people”. She said, “Most people are very pessimistic about the future of journalism, but a country cannot function without the press. So however the world changes, the press will always be there (in some shape or form), representing the people and holding those in power accountable.”
“Press freedom is woven into everything we do as young people today. It empowers us to speak openly about our opinions, raise awareness about issues that matter to us, and express our passions and talents without fear,” said Hannerie Rossouw, the Head of Treasury, Events and Merchandise at Die Matie.
According to Zandri van Greunen, the Afrikaans Sub Editor at Die Matie, “Good journalism is the mirror that reflects all aspects of society – the good, the bad, and the ugly. This is why journalism is so important, especially in a country like South Africa: to protect the democracy that those before us have fought so hard for. Now, more than ever, in a time filled with fake news, it is our responsibility as student journalists to give our fellow students transparency.”
Nina Goosen, the Head of Technical Support at Die Matie, said that the press “communicate what the public is thinking” and “raise marginalised voices”. According to Julian Rael Gordon, the Managing Editor and English Sub Editor at Die Matie, we “remind audiences and readers of the importance of fair and accessible news. The world is a better place when we’re able to hold people accountable through free and accurate reporting”.
From left to right: Jana Burger, the Page Editor for the Dag & Nag page at Die Matie; Emma Olivier, the Content Editor at Die Matie; Zandri van Greunen, the Afrikaans Sub Editor at Die Matie; and Emma Theron, the Head Reporter at Die Matie.
The group proof reading the Die Matie welcoming print edition before its release on 11 February. Supplied: Jacolette Kloppers
“On Press Freedom Day, we are reminded that this freedom is not guaranteed – it must be protected and valued, because it gives us the power to shape our future and stand up for what we believe in,” said Rossouw.
Die Matie affirms the importance of a free press in our student community and celebrates WPFD with you all.
