PRRD admin safeguards media, press freedom

The caravan, organized by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), with the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) and Freedom of Information (FOI) program, highlighted the efforts being done by the Duterte administration to protect media workers and their freedom. (PNA Photo)

MANILA — The administration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte continues to protect the interest of media workers in the country, the recent Press Freedom Caravan held at the National Press Club of the Philippines in Manila on Thursday conveyed.

The caravan, organized by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), with the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) and Freedom of Information (FOI) program, highlighted the efforts being done by the Duterte administration to protect media workers and their freedom.

“Our freedom of speech, expression, and knowledge are guaranteed rights under our constitution that are being protected by the PTFoMS,” Undersecretary and PTFoMS Executive Director Joel Egco said in his speech.

Egco cited how vulnerable the media is to violence, thus the need to protect them.

PCOO Assistant Secretary and FOI Program Director Kristian Ablan highlighted the importance of information in protecting press freedom.

“This government wants to protect our press freedom, but you cannot exercise press freedom if you do not have the proper information to report about the things happening in government,” Ablan said.

The PCOO said the Duterte administration is keen on creating a transparent and accountable government through Executive Order No. 2 creating the FOI. The FOI is responsible for disclosing information about government transactions under the executive branch to the public, especially journalists, upon request.

Under the Duterte administration, the Philippines was delisted from the Reporters Without Borders’ (Reporters Sans Frontières) list of five most dangerous countries for journalists.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), another international journalism group, has also noted the Philippines’ “improved status” in the 2018 Global Impunity Index.