A message for World News Day 2026: It’s time to fight for truth
Branko Brkic has lived in two societies at breaking point, with opposite outcomes: 1980s Yugoslavia, where shared facts fell apart until the country tore itself to pieces, and South Africa, where journalists dug through State Capture until the theft could no longer be denied, and hope was restored. Two experiences taught him the same thing from opposite directions.
In 1980s Yugoslavia, shared facts unraveled as the country disintegrated, while in post-apartheid South Africa, journalists exposed State Capture and helped restore hope. Branko Brkic, co-founder of Daily Maverick World News Day, has witnessed both scenarios firsthand. Branko argues that a society that loses its grip on facts also loses its grip on itself, and that societies that champion truth can find their way back to optimism.
World News Day, marked on 28 September, serves as a reminder of the importance of reliable information in modern societies. The author emphasizes that journalists must diligently seek the facts, check claims, protect sources, and correct errors in public to maintain credibility. Readers are encouraged to support trustworthy journalism that clearly distinguishes news from opinion and admits its mistakes, as a trustworthy newsroom is one that acknowledges and rectifies its errors.
World News Day not only aims to highlight the significance of journalism but also to rally support for reliable information, which is essential for a free society.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
