By Brian Jules Campued
The media landscape in the Philippines remains vibrant and free, living up to its reputation as the “freest press” in Asia — Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) executive director Usec. Paul Gutierrez said on World Press Freedom Day, highlighting gains in protecting journalists and promoting responsible journalism in the country.
Citing data from the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Gutierrez noted that radio stations comprised half of the total percentage of mainstream media in the country at 53% as of July 2023. It was followed by newspapers (30%), television and cable stations (12%), and magazines (5%).
On the other hand, the task force said that it is difficult to monitor media outlets which operate using various social media platforms since the government “has always been liberal in its attitude towards the Internet”.
“These numbers debunked unsubstantiated claims that the press is under threat, being curtailed or being suppressed in the country,” the PTFoMS added.
According to the World Press Freedom Index for 2024, published by international media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the Philippines placed 134th out of 180 countries and territories.
“The Philippine media are extremely dynamic despite the government’s targeted attacks and constant harassment of journalists and media outlets regarded as overly critical,” the RSF said in its report.
Although the country’s ranking fell down by two places from 2023 when it got its highest press freedom ranking in six years (132nd), the Philippines has seen “fewer and less violent attacks” against journalists under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.
In its 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, the U.S. State Department observed that Filipinos are more welcome to discuss matters of public interest during the first year of the Marcos administration.
“News organizations generally were not subjected to official censorship. Media generally remained free, active, and able to voice criticisms of the government, despite the chilling effect caused by killings of and attacks on journalists, red-tagging, and political and nongovernmental pressure,” the report stated.
Notably, the suspects in the killing of Filipino radio broadcasters Juan Jumalon alias DJ Johnny Walker in Misamis Occidental last Nov. 5, 2023 and Eduardo Dizon in Cotabato last July 10, 2019 were already arrested recently.
“In fact, all the 5 major cases of media violence that occurred under the Marcos administration to include the killing of Renato Blanco in September 2022 and the killing of Juan Jumalon in November 2023, were all deemed solved as the suspects in these two cases have also been arrested, presently behind bars and are undergoing trial,” Gutierrez said in an April 25 statement.
This development, Gutierrez said, affirms the President’s commitment to safeguarding press freedom by “ensuring a safe environment for media practitioners” in the country.
In a speech at the 50th anniversary of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) on April 15, Marcos encouraged the media to perform their duties without restriction as it is proof of a critical press.
“Unlike many of my predecessors, I do not seek collaboration, for that implies a surrender of your Independence. I am of the opinion that national interest is better served by a press that is critical rather than a press that is cooperative,” the President said.
Meanwhile, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) called on the government to focus on the plight of environmental and community journalists as well as address the ongoing global climate crisis.
“With extreme weather events expected to become more frequent and more destructive, every story is potentially an environmental story and the government and the community must do more to protect journalists who cover climate change as well as the development aggression that contributes to it and further destroys the environment,” the NUJP said in a statement.
While there remain major areas to be addressed with regards to press freedom in the Philippines, Gutierrez attributed the improving media environment in the country to the administration’s efforts to pursue the perpetrators of violent acts against the members of the press.
“The PTFoMS is always ready to partner with any group or organization, here and abroad, who can help us improve the implementation of our mandate of addressing all violence against the life, liberty, and security of all members of the Philippine media,” he added. – avds
