Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has called on the Philippine Congress to carry out significant reforms to bolster press freedom in the nation. Despite some strides in press freedom over recent years, the Philippines continues to face issues, ranking 116th out of 180 in global freedom of the press rankings.
In a statement, RSF highlighted the economic fragility that hampers media freedom, pointing out that financial strains on news organizations remain a critical threat. RSF Editorial Director Anne Bocandé emphasized the necessity of media financial independence for disseminating reliable information serving the public interest. She noted that economic stress is an ongoing challenge in securing press freedom.
The practice of “red-tagging” remains prevalent in the Philippines, where journalists probing into sensitive matters are often labeled as subversives or terrorists. This practice has resulted in over 200 journalist deaths since 1987, many of whom worked in radio. Female journalists continue to be particularly at risk, facing threats of sexual harassment, and abuse.
RSF’s recommendations to the new Congress include amending anti-terrorism laws to stop red-tagging, reforming the Presidential Task Force on Media Security to enhance journalist safety, combating disinformation, supporting independent news outlets via economic incentives, and integrating media and digital literacy into school curricula.
The current administration, led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has faced criticism for its lack of effective measures to address these systemic threats. However, it has expressed intentions to pursue transparency and fight fake news through legislative efforts, which could influence the future of journalism amid a volatile political landscape.
The full statement and additional details are available on JURIST.