Marcos: Gov’t to keep upholding press freedom, media rights and safety

The administration will continue to uphold the freedom of the press as well as the rights and safety of media practitioners in the country, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said on Thursday.

At the 50th anniversary of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), Marcos acknowledged the role of the press in “shaping of public opinion and development of highly well-informed citizens” as he asked the organization of broadcast media networks to continue their “very important work.”

“Therefore, I exhort the KBP to continue your very important work with our people and with the government—addressing, and remedying the issues and challenges that we face. Take the lead and foster public discussions, truth, and credibility,” said the President.

“For its part, this government will remain committed to ensuring transparency and good governance, freedom of expression and of the press, and the protection of media practitioners and their rights in the practice of their profession,” he added. 

Established in 1973, the KBP was organized to promote professional and ethical standards in Philippine broadcasting both radio and television.

Marcos added that while its long-standing years prove that the KBP has “fully established itself as an institution of national significance,” the organization’s role remains “crucial” as the country continues to weather new challenges including the rise of misinformation, disinformation, and fake news.

“These are among the negative effects of technological advancement and the social media age, however, it is something that is to be expected considering how powerful tool social media has become, and like any other powerful tool, it cuts both ways,” he said.

“It is up once again to the KBP to bring a measure of stability, a measure of objectivity,  to help our people discern what is the real info and what is propaganda,” he added.

Marcos also lamented the Philippines’ low rankings on the World Press Freedom Index, with its standing slipping to 147 among 180 participating countries in 2022.

“As a testament to our oneness with the international community, we shall work hard hand in hand with you to improve the present situation and climb our way up in these rankings,” he said.

“Let the KBP continue the strong voice it only has been. An efficient instrument of public service in  Philippine society…May you genuinely dedicate them to upholding the truth, freedom, and social justice for the benefit and upliftment of the present and succeeding generations of Filipinos,” Marcos added. — BM, GMA Integrated News