It’s crucial for the country to remember the journalists who have sacrificed their lives in the relentless pursuit of truth, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Friday.
During the 50th Anniversary of the Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PAPI) in Pasay City, President Marcos assured that the government remains committed to protecting journalists and upholding press freedom in the country.
“As we reflect on our struggle [for] truth, it is crucial to remember the journalists who have sacrificed their lives in this relentless pursuit: Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa, [Juan] “DJ Johnny Walker” Jumalon, Cresenciano Bundoquin, and many others,” President Marcos said .
“They are not just names in a report; they are faces with families, colleagues, and communities that grieve their loss. And yet, even as we mourn, let us find resolve,” he said.
All efforts to bring them justice are a testament to the belief that no story, however dangerous, is too small or too insignificant to be told, the President said.
President Marcos stressed that the government stands with the media community in this fight as he called on the members of the press to foster responsible journalism for an informed and empowered citizenry.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS), the President pointed out, are the lead agencies in pursuing efforts to promote responsible journalism, press freedom, and media security.
Among the government programs and activities for journalists are the Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Campaign, Regional Media Summits to promote press freedom and responsible press, and the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the PTFoMS and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to ensure the safety and protection of media practitioners covering elections.
The PAPI was established in 1974 as a non-profit and non-stock media organization, with around 400 provincial publications and some national publications as regular members.
Its mission is to help consolidate publishers and community press into one vibrant media fraternity; defend and promote press freedom and responsible news reporting; enhance media practitioners’ reporting skills; and develop a well-informed public. |PND
