New York, May 3 -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a stark warning on World Press Freedom Day, highlighting the escalating dangers faced by media professionals globally and asserting that without a free press, there can be no peace or human rights.

The UN chief noted that while it is often said that in war, "truth is the first casualty," the reality is frequently more grim. "But far too frequently, the first casualties are the journalists, who risk everything to report that truth, not only in war, but wherever those in power fear scrutiny," he said.

Antonio Guterres pointed out that across the globe, media workers continue to face a barrage of threats, including "censorship, surveillance, legal harassment and even death...