Duterte vows ‘editorial independence’ of improved state-run media 

President Rodrigo Duterte said the proposed People’s Broadcasting Corporation (PBC), eyed to replace the state-run existing People’s Television Network or PTV-4, will “observe editorial independence” in all its programs.

“To better manage public information, a law should be passed – I’m addressing Congress-- to create the People’s Broadcasting Corporation, replacing PTV-4, the government-run TV station, which now aims to replicate international government broadcasting networks,” Duterte said in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

“Ito ang gusto ko -- tutal pera naman ng tao -- to observe editorial independence through innovative programs and intelligent treatment and analysis of news reports, as well as developments of national and international significance,” he added.

He said representatives of international news agencies, like the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), are set to visit the country to train media workers of state-run channels.

Duterte added that the Bureau of Broadcast Services, better known as the Radyo ng Bayan, shall undergo upgrading, and will be integrated with the eyed PBC.

The President also announced the creation of a Presidential Communications Satellite Office in Davao City, and broadcast hubs in Visayas and Mindanao.

The first Muslim channel, to be called Salaam Television, will also be launched in Davao City, where Duterte was mayor for more than two decades.

Meanwhile, Duterte reiterated that his administration does not condone the violence on media, saying an administrative order creating a task force on media killings is presently being drafted by Malacañang.

“This government does not condone violence and repression of media....The bona fide media has always been our partner for change,” he said. —KBK, GMA News