PCOO submits freedom report to world body

MANILA, Philippines — To improve the Philippines’ ratings in the World Press Freedom index of media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (Reporters Sans Frontieres or RSF), the Presidential Communications Operations Office has stepped up its campaign on media freedom during a visit to Paris, France.

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar led the submission of a report that featured the updates on the work-related killings of media persons that happened during the Duterte administration, as well as the action taken by concerned agencies.

It also highlighted the court ruling on the Maguindanao Massacre 2009 case wherein 49 people, led by members of the Ampatuan family, were convicted for the murder of 58 people, including 32 media men.

The report also showed the status of the threats made against media workers.  

It also featured its new campaign for 2020 that pursues the twin efforts of ensuring the delivery of justice and promoting the professional and economic welfare of journalists. 

The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) submitted a report on the state of media freedom and the protection of journalists in the Philippines to media watchdog RSF last Tuesday.

The PTFoMS’s reinforced campaign in safeguarding press freedom involves more engagements nationwide, such as seminars on media security and safety, deploying more manpower to closely monitor developments in Luzon, the Visayas, Mindanao and Metro Manila.

“We recognize the importance of journalism in terms of accountability, democracy and rule of law. We will sustain our policy of securing journalists across the country by championing the Media Workers Welfare Act in Congress,” Andanar said.

The Media Workers Welfare Act seeks to address the economic vulnerabilities of media workers, especially those in the provinces. It also ensures the capacity of availing of housing programs, job security and health benefits.

RSF is an international non-profit, non-governmental organization based in Paris that advocates media freedom. 

Andanar also discussed the efforts of the government to end impunity in the country amid negative narratives against the Duterte administration. 

“Our meeting with the Reporters Without Borders was fruitful. We presented the existing efforts of the administration to safeguard press freedom in the country,”  said Andanar, who co-chairs of PTFoMS.

“We hope that this engagement will iron out concerns about the stance of the government when it comes to media freedom.Clearly, it is the primary policy of the Duterte administration to protect the journalists and promote their welfare,” Andanar added.

He stressed that the media environment in the Philippines remains one of the most vibrant in the world and press freedom is very much alive. 

“The very first administrative order of the President, just a couple of months after assuming presidency, is to create the PTFoMS,” Andanar added.

During the meeting, Andanar was joined by Philippine Ambassador to Paris Maria Theresa Lazaro, Assistant Secretary JV Arcena and First Secretary and Consul Hans Mohaimin Siriban.