CHR to launch platform where journos report rights violations

The Commission on Human Rights on Saturday said it would be formally launching the Alisto! Alert Mechanism where journalists and media workers could report human rights violations that they experienced.

In a statement, the independent national human rights institution said that the alert mechanism would serve “to bring forth a platform for the press to directly contact the CHR regarding incidents where media workers are involved.”

The CHR said this was part of the commission's goal to participate in the full implementation of the Philippine Plan of Action for the Safety of Journalists (PPASJ), as it identified plans of action to further protect media workers.

The CHR added that the platform would directly respond to the attacks and threats against media workers.

“The role of media in our society cannot be overstated. The media—you—serve as a beacon of truth, a guardian of democracy, and a powerful catalyst for change. In its noblest form, the media acts as a check and balance on those in power, holding them accountable for their actions. It is, in many ways, the lifeblood of democracy,” said CHR Chair Richard Palpal-latoc during the National Media Forum, where the Alisto! Alert Mechanism was initially introduced.

The event was held last November 2023 which presented an avenue for an open discussion of issues and challenges confronting media workers, who had an opportunity to explore possible options for improving media welfare.

The CHR, for its part, enumerated the efforts it had extended towards addressing issues concerning media welfare, including investigating cases of alleged human rights violations committed against the press, working with legislators on policies and laws, educating the public, and initiating dialogue with different media groups, organizations, and government agencies.

The CHR said the initiative was part of the celebration of National Press Week, which recognizes the fundamental role that media workers hold in maintaining Philippine democracy.

The human rights body also called on the government to address challenges facing media workers, to provide adequate mechanisms that give way towards ensuring a safer environment in their line of work, and to confront the factors that breed a climate of impunity in the country and imperil the lives of journalists.

“We echo the sentiments of Filipino journalists that attacks against the media have long been an existing reality that is left unaddressed in the Philippines,"  the CHR said.

"In a time when it is now apparent that the defenders of truth also need defending, the conversation on fostering a safe working environment for journalists should also be making headlines on our screens as we scroll through the news and commentaries."

The CHR emphasized that it was important that the media had been the commission's constant partner in promoting the rights of all Filipinos. — DVM, GMA Integrated News