Workshop promotes protection, well-being of women journalists

CEBU, Philippines — The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) conducted a national workshop in Cebu City aimed at strengthening gender-responsive media protection and empowering women journalists through improved safety, mental health awareness, and institutional support mechanisms.

Titled “Empowering Women Journalists: A National Workshop to Institutionalize Gender-Responsive Media Protection”, the activity gathered at least 40 women media practitioners from Cebu to discuss the challenges and risks faced by women in journalism, including workplace stress, burnout, online harassment, and safety concerns in the field.

The initiative sought to enhance the capacity of women journalists by equipping them with practical knowledge, coping strategies, and access to support systems that can help them navigate the demands of the profession while safeguarding their well-being.

During the workshop, PTFoMS Secretariat Francis Rupert Mangrobang presented the mandate and ongoing initiatives of the task force, emphasizing its role in protecting the life, liberty, and security of media workers in the country.

He highlighted that the agency was established under Administrative Order No. 1, issued on October 11, 2016, and has since served as the lead mechanism for addressing violations against members of the media. Mangrobang underscored that the creation of the task force reflects the government’s recognition of the critical role journalists play in a democratic society.

In his welcome remarks, PTFoMS Executive Director Jose Torres Jr. stressed the importance of open dialogue among women journalists, noting that many face compounded pressures from professional responsibilities, field risks, and personal obligations.

He also raised concerns over emerging threats to journalists, including online harassment, disinformation, and technology-driven attacks, calling for stronger use of digital tools both for protection and responsible reporting. Torres reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding press freedom and supporting the welfare of media workers.

“We recognize the importance and the big role that women journalists play in our democracy,” Torres said, emphasizing the need for continued collaboration among government, private sector partners, and media organizations.

The workshop also featured a disaster preparedness and safety session led by PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications through their Emergency Management Center head Louie Domingo.

Domingo discussed earthquake response protocols, stressing the importance of preparedness, coordination, and regular drills. He emphasized the “duck, cover, and hold” procedure as a key safety measure and encouraged participants to integrate emergency readiness into daily practice.

Domingo also highlighted the importance of planning, survival kits, and coordinated response systems during emergencies, noting that effective disaster response depends on awareness, training, and consistent practice.

Mental health and wellness were also a key focus of the workshop, with clinical psychologist Shaira Eve Goc-ong of the Philippine Mental Health Association leading a session on stress and burnout among journalists.

Goc-ong explained that stress is a natural response to pressure, deadlines, and emotionally-heavy assignments, and should not be viewed as a sign of weakness. She distinguished stress from burnout, noting that burnout occurs when stress becomes chronic and leads to emotional exhaustion, detachment, and reduced effectiveness.

She also emphasized practical coping strategies, including emotional grounding, rest, delegation of tasks, and engaging in restorative activities such as hobbies, family time, and pet care. Participants were encouraged to develop personal “survival kits” to identify stress triggers and early warning signs.

Goc-ong concluded by reminding participants that while stress is unavoidable in journalism, awareness and healthy coping mechanisms can help media workers maintain balance and continue their work without compromising their well-being. (CEBU NEWS)