Palace media security task force pushes free press promotion

The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) called for the promotion of a free press on the eve of World Press Freedom Day, which comes days after the US State Department released a report stating that Filipino journalists still face harassment and threats of violence.

- ALEXIS ROMERO

While the Philippines is dubbed as the “freest press” in Asia, various international groups have expressed concern over the risks that affect the Filipino journalists’ performance of their duties.

In its 2023 Country Report on Human Rights Practices released last week, the State Department said journalists in the Philippines continued to face harassment, threats and violence, including from politicians, government authorities and powerful private persons critical of their reporting.

Quoting observers and non-government organizations, the report said the “chilling effect” on public expression engendered under former president Rodrigo Duterte “continued at a lower level” under the Marcos administration.

International watchdogs such as Reporters Without Borders noted fewer and less violent attacks on journalists in the first year of the Marcos administration, but several problems remained, it added.