Marcos: We will support, protect rights of media

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday vowed to support and protect the rights of the media, citing their important role in the development of the country.

In his speech before the Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC), Marcos assured members of the media that he will protect their rights under his administration.

“Under my lead, we will support and protect the rights of the media as they efficiently perform their duty,” Marcos said.

“I underscore the crucial role of the press in building an active citizen, one that contributes to the development of our society. Your proactive participation in keeping well informed [the] citizenry form spark of our collective goal to empower Filipinos  and establish more robust Philippines,” he said.

He also said that he will remain committed and constantly communicate as the country’s progress to move forward.

He also said that he will remain committed and constantly communicate the country’s progress as it moves forward.

“Whatever difficulties we may encounter at this point on. The government will always be ready to lend an ear and to listen to your concerns and to answer all that you may want to know,” Marcos said.

“We will not be your leader but we will be your partner as we work together to see the full promise of the Filipino nation fulfill the days and the years ahead,” he added.

Marcos urged the media to effectively communicate the government’s efforts and initiative towards the country’s development.

"This is... another partnership that we must continue to strengthen. It is the job of our media practitioners to not only analyze, to not only... give their opinion but to also inform and let our people know what the government is doing and how it will help their lives and how they can be part of that progress, that process of progress that we have started," Marcos said.

Malacañang has said Marcos was "concerned" over the killing of radio broadcaster Percy Lapid.

Lapid was on board and driving his black Toyota Innova around 8:30 p.m. when he was shot dead by two suspects on board a motorcycle without a plate number in Las Piñas City last October 3.

A special investigation task force has been created to look into the fatal shooting, the Philippine National Police said Tuesday.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) earlier urged the government to support the free press and extend its commitment to uphold human rights to the protection of the media in the country so they may carry out their work freely and safely. —NB, GMA News