Marcos renews vow to defend press freedom in PH

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday said he remains committed to upholding press freedom in the country, as he underscored the role that media practitioners play in promoting good governance and transparency.

In his opening remarks during the presidential luncheon hosted by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP), the Philippine leader said that the government recognizes that a free, independent, and responsible press “remains indispensable to any democratic society.”

“Two years ago, I spoke of a principle that I deeply believe in, that the role of the President is to defend press freedom, never to diminish it. This conviction remains unchanged,” Marcos said.

He also shared that his administration considers media practitioners, including photojournalists, as partners in promoting good governance and transparency.

“Effective governance is not measured solely by what the government builds, but also by the trust that it earns from the people that we serve. In fostering that trust, a responsible and independent media plays an indispensable role in informing the public, in scrutinizing those in power, and helping ensure that facts prevail over speculation and fake news,” Marcos said

“For when uncertainty becomes the dominant narrative, markets hesitate, people become polarized, and the public discourse is dangerously weakened,” he added.

Though he acknowledged that the government and the media may not always agree, the chief executive said that their shared interest in the pursuit of truth remains the same.

“You, in your role as journalist, and I, as a public servant, have something important in common---our credibility. It is the foundation of our work and the bedrock of the public's trust,” Marcos emphasized.

He also noted that the government is expanding digital literacy initiatives, modernizing cybersecurity initiatives, and promoting the holistic well-being of every Filipino, all while upholding the freedom of expression.

The President also cited the establishment of the government’s Oplan Kontra Fake News to protect the public from disinformation and hold its purveyors accountable. — RSJ, GMA News