Comelec, PTFoMS ink deal to protect journalists during polls

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) inked a memorandum of agreement that aims to ensure the safety of the media practitioners in covering the elections.

Poll body Chairman George Garcia and PTFoMS Executive Director Undersecretary Paul Gutierrez signed the deal on Tuesday.

In a press release, Gutierrez said the MOA is ''part of the continuing effort by the Marcos government to create a safe media environment for members of the press all over the country, especially during elections.''

Gutierrez said the MOA is the first of its kind between the COMELEC and the PTFoMS to address all violations on the right to life, liberty, and security of all members of the press. 

The deal seeks to provide the Fourth Estate or news media with a safe and protected space, free from any unnecessary interference so that they can perform their duty in reporting election-related news.

The MOA also seeks to consider any act of threat, harassment, illegal detention, torture, or physical violence to any member of the press a violation of the media’s role under the Fair Election Act or RA 9006, the Omnibus Election Code, or the Revised Penal Code, as the case may be.

On the other hand, Garcia said he agreed to the MOA considering that poll workers also suffer from the same level of threats, harassment and loss of life being experienced by journalists during elections. 

The agreement's provisions will take effect this October, the start of the filing of certificate of candidacy (COCs) for the midterm elections and will last until the end of the election period, or until June 11, 2025.

Any media practitioner whose rights are violated during the covered period must report the incident immediately to the PTFoMS.

The task force will then immediately coordinate with the poll body as regards the appropriate measures to be taken to address the incident. —RF, GMA Integrated News