4-5-2024 (MANILA) In a poignant acknowledgment, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. paid tribute to the valor of journalists as the Philippines joined the global community in commemorating World Press Freedom Day on Friday. The leader underscored the pivotal role of the media in countering the pervasive threat of misinformation.
Expressing his profound appreciation for the media industry, Marcos recognized the daunting challenges faced by journalists in the archipelago nation. The country’s standing in Reporters Without Borders’ Press Freedom Index plummeted to 134th this year, a sobering reflection of the ongoing struggles for press freedom.
“In the New Philippines, we celebrate our journalists for their courage in conveying unbiased reports, and we rely on them to continue being the stalwarts of truth and transparency,” Marcos declared in a heartfelt message on Friday.
“As the fourth pillar of our democracy, their words serve as our strongest defense against misinformation and fake news. Now, more than ever, their commitment to their work is crucial.”
Marcos himself recently found himself at the center of an alleged disinformation campaign, according to Malacañang Palace. A manipulated audio recording purportedly depicting the president directing the military to take action against a foreign country surfaced, sparking concerns.
The Presidential Communications Office had earlier suspected that a foreign actor was behind the fabricated recording.
Notably, over 92% of Tsek.Ph’s fact checks about Marcos during the 2022 elections appeared to be “false or misleading information in his favor.”
The United Nations General Assembly’s designation of May 3 as “World Press Freedom Day” serves as a clarion call to raise awareness about the paramount importance of freedom of the press and the right to freedom of expression.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) emphasized that their vocation remains perilous in the present day — especially within the Philippine archipelago.
“The alleged mastermind in the killing of environmentalist and broadcaster Doc Gerry Ortega remains at large despite a court-issued warrant for his arrest, and many of our colleagues covering land and environmental issues do so at the risk of denial of access, harassment, and worse,” the NUJP lamented.
“Frenchie Mae Cumpio, who helped cover the plight of survivors of Typhoon Yolanda and of farmers in among the poorest regions in the country, has been in detention on trumped-up charges since 2020,” the group added.
“Alternative and community journalists who cover issues like mining, logging, and land reclamation are already at risk by covering far from urban centers and are at further risk of being labeled as ‘anti-development’ or of being red-tagged outright.”
The NUJP also remembered the harrowing case of Northern Dispatch journalist Brandon Lee, who was shot in front of his house in Ifugao province in 2019. His death is believed to be linked to his work in defense of indigenous land rights.
Prior to the assassination attempt, Brandon and Northern Dispatch had already experienced cases of red-tagging. He now continues his work in the US as a member of NUJP’s North America chapter.
“On World Press Freedom Day, NUJP lights candles to remember Doc Gerry, to call attention to the plight of environmental and community journalists, and to signify solidarity with them,” the group concluded.
