Andanar: Duterte admin will continue to respect press freedom

President Rodrigo Duterte’s government will continue to respect the freedom of the press amid allegations it has made actions aimed at stifling dissent, a Malacañang official said Friday.

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar issued the statement in line with the celebration of the World Press Freedom Day.

“Asahan ninyo po na patuloy na irerespeto ng Duterte administration ang press freedom sa bansa taliwas sa mga alegasyon ng iilan,” he said.

“Tayo naman po ay kaisa ng lahat ng  mediamen sa bansa at sa buong mundo sa pagsusulong at pangangalaga sa karapatan sa press freedom.”

Andanar cited the creation of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS), an inter-agency body tasked to protect the members of the press, at the start of the administration’s term in 2016.

For his part, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the government does not condone media violence and repression of information.

According to Panelo, Duterte “believes in the important role the press plays in our great democracy as he considers the fourth estate as our partners for genuine change.”

“The Duterte administration assures members of the press that it will support them in the free exercise of their profession and in crafting accurate, fair and non-partisan reports for the Filipino people,” he said.

Fake news

Andanar also affirmed the PCOO’s commitment to fight disinformation and fake news.

“Tayo naman po sa PCOO ay patuloy ang kampanya natin laban sa disinformation o pagpapakalat ng fake news sapagkat isa po ito sa sumisira sa malayang pamamahayag,” he said.

However, the PTFoMS said ethical and professional responsibilities are “inextricably linked to the safeguarding of press freedom.”

“Thus, we are calling upon our colleagues in the media to be continuing partners in sustaining the gains in terms of protecting press freedom and be reminded of the fundamental responsibility of members of the Fourth Estate to adhere to established professional and ethical standards in the practice of their profession,” it said.

The task force added that the “proverbial pen” can be used to hold officials accountable for their actions and disseminate “useful information that will help prevent polarization and violence and bring about meaningful change.”

“Contentious issues concerning ethical practices and spreading of disinformation have been thrown around and caused division among media groups and the journalists comprising them,” the task force said.

“Even the Task Force was not spared from the mudslinging. And this does not bode well for the entire Philippine media and the public that it is supposed to serve.”

This year’s celebration came after the Philippines dropped one spot in the 2019 World Press Freedom Index, placing 134th out of 180 countries.

The Paris-based Reporters Without Borders  (RSF) reported last month that the Philippines scored 43.91 points, in between the United Arab Emirates and Morocco/Western Sahara, in an index that ranks Norway as first and Turkmenistan as 180th.

The report identified the string of legal cases and “online harassment campaigns” against news website Rappler and its CEO, Maria Ressa, as the “most emblematic case” showing supposed attacks against the press “by President Rodrigo Duterte's government” and their accompanying “coordinated cyber attacks.”

Ressa and her company face separate cases for tax evasion, cyber libel, and violation of the Anti-Dummy Law, as well as allegations of illegal foreign ownership, charges which the veteran journalist and her team have repeatedly denied.

The media watchdog said three Philippine journalists were killed this year, “most likely by agents working for local politicians, who can have reporters silenced with complete impunity.”

It also claimed the government has developed “several ways” to “pressure” journalists critical of Duterte’s war on drugs which has killed more than 5,000 drug suspects since he assumed office in June 2016. — RSJ, GMA News