‘Press must be protected from all threats’

MANILA, Philippines — The press must be protected from all forms of threat and intimidation, President Duterte said yesterday in his World Press Freedom Day message, as some media workers decried what they described as harassment of journalists and government critics.

Duterte said World Press Freedom Day is a reminder of the “vital role of a free and responsible press in the advancement of society.”

The President, who has lashed out at several news outlets that have published reports critical of the government, said the work of both traditional and emerging media requires “a stronger commitment in upholding truth and transparency” in the digital age, where information is created and shared rapidly.

“This year’s theme affirms the nature of news and information as a public good that must be utilized effectively to achieve their intended benefits,” Duterte said. “Moreover, the messenger itself, the press, must be protected from all forms of threat and intimidation so that they may fully serve the best interest of our people.”

Duterte cited the need to continue using the “power of communication” for “collective efforts in nation-building” and “to ensure the integrity and safety of the press.”

“Together, let us nurture a better informed citizenry and realize a brighter future for everyone,” he added.

While the Philippines has been dubbed as the “freest press in Asia,” it went down two notches in the latest World Press Freedom Index, the fourth time it ranked lower in the list. It placed 138th out of 180 countries this year, down from 136th in 2020.

The Philippines ranked 134th in 2019 and 133rd in 2018, according to data published by international media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

The lower ranking has been attributed to Congress’ refusal to renew the franchise of television network ABS-CBN and what RSF labeled as a “grotesque judicial harassment campaign” against news website Rappler.

Critics claim that the issues hounding ABS-CBN and Rappler reflect Duterte’s disdain for independent reporting but officials dispute this, saying existing laws and regulations apply to the two media outlets.

Malacañang has downplayed the drop in the Philippines’ ranking and has insisted that the shutdown of ABS-CBN and the filing of charges against Rappler are not related to press freedom.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said media workers mark World Press Freedom Day with reminders of the risks that journalists in the Philippines, especially those among the alternative and regional media, face.

“The practice of labeling activists, government critics and journalists as enemies of the state has also gone beyond harassment and intimidation,” the NUJP said in a statement.

“But even if we mark World Press Freedom Day with many reasons to be fearful, we mark it also with hope, knowing that there are many of us still working each day to gather facts and shine a little light on what is happening in the country and on what isn’t,” it added.

The group said the best response to threats is for journalists to work together to ensure that everyone is safe to be independent monitors of power.?“We mark World Press Freedom Day with the challenge to be free and to insist on being free,” it said.

Meanwhile, Vice President Leni Robredo urged yesterday the government to protect and respect freedom of the press even as she cited media’s role in overcoming challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It remains the task of leaders and governments everywhere to respect and uphold freedom of the press, and to extend protection to the women and men who must risk their lives, freedom and reputations to bring to public awareness the truth behind events,” Robredo said in her message for World Press Freedom Day.

“Democracy cannot survive, much less flourish, without a free press that works to keep citizens informed by equipping them with common, verifiable baseline of fact on issues pertinent to society and governance,” she said.

The Vice President said the role of journalists has become even more important in the age of fake news and digital disinformation.

“And in this age of fake news and digital disinformation, where gaslighting has become a frequent tactic to evade accountability and blatant falsehood has become the common currency in political discourse, this role has become even more imperative,” she said.

She also acknowledged the role of the press in “successfully” overcoming challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our capacity to successfully overcome the urgent challenges of our time – including the current pandemic – depends on an accurate, and truthful, appreciation of both the issues that confront us and the solutions that are available,” Robredo said.

“Let us take the time to honor the courage and commitment of journalists in the Philippines and abroad, who endure harassment, persecution and violence as they remain steadfast in their roles of pursuing the truth and holding power accountable,” she said. – Helen Flores