ACT-CIS Partylist Representative Rowena Niña Taduran commended the media for its courageous role in providing information to the public in the midst of the pandemic as the world celebrates Press Freedom Day.
The House Asst. Majority Floorleader says that the media workers never stopped gathering stories and telling them through different platforms even though they are facing the dangers brought by Covid-19.
Taduran says that some media workers are dealing with reduced salaries, long work hours, and zero health benefits, and yet they continue to serve the public.
“Laban lang. Umiiyak na sa takot at hirap, pero tuloy pa rin sa kanilang trabaho ang mga mamamahayag. Binawasan ang suweldo, walang insurance, kanya-kanya sa pagprotekta sa kanilang kalusugan, pero patuloy pa ring naghahanap ng istorya sa labas dahil kailangang maihatid ang balita sa publiko,” says Taduran.
The solon reminds all media workers to uphold the responsibility in reporting what is true and just.
“As we unite traditional media with social media, let us remember that we have one goal – to inform and spread what is honest, truthful and helpful. May we be guided with the theme ot this year’s World Press Freedom Day celebration which is ‘information as a public good.’ Media should tell the news as it is and be the guardian of truth and justice,” says Taduran.
Taduran is the author of the Media Workers Welfare Bill which has already passed the third and final reading at the House of Representatives.
The consolidated House Bill 8140, originally House Bill 2476 and authored by Taduran, is a game changer as this will professionalize the media industry and will ensure journalists, technical people and other media workers of proper safeguards as they perform their jobs.
Under the bill, all media workers will be given wages mandated by law, enjoy security of tenure, will be accorded the appropriate hazard and overtime pay plus insurance and other benefits.
All media workers who are assigned to cover dangerous and hazardous events or situations shall be given an additional ₱500 daily pay. Death and disability benefits amounting to ₱200, 000 shall also be awarded to the affected media worker.
They will be provided with bullet proof vests and helmets and medical grade personal protective equipment during hazardous coverages.
Taduran was a TV and radio broadcaster before she joined the House of Representatives.
