The Commission on Human Rights has called for stronger and sustained measures to safeguard journalists and media workers as the country marks National Press Week from February 8 to 14.
In a statement, the CHR expressed concern that journalists in the Philippines continue to face intimidation, surveillance, and attacks while carrying out their work of documenting abuses, exposing wrongdoing, and promoting accountability.
“The Commission stresses that the public’s right to truth cannot be upheld while journalists continue to face threats, harassment, violence, and legal intimidation in the course of their work,” the CHR said.
The commission said its protection, policy, and prevention initiatives are anchored on the Philippine Plan of Action for the Safety of Journalists. It emphasized that safety goes beyond physical protection and includes legal, digital, professional, and structural safeguards necessary for independent and ethical reporting.
The CHR reported conducting media sessions nationwide to provide journalists with platforms to raise safety concerns and professional challenges. It also integrated its media forum into the Lakbay Karapatan Tungo sa Kamalayan human rights caravan, led by Chairperson Richard Palpal-latoc and implemented by regional offices.
According to the CHR, the caravan highlighted the realities faced by journalists at the local level, presented media safety initiatives, and encouraged dialogue among media workers, communities, and government duty bearers.
Under its Tanggol Mamamahayag initiatives, the commission said it institutionalized the Alisto Alert Mechanism and created a Task Force on the Safety of Journalists to help ensure that threats are promptly reported and addressed through coordinated responses.
At the policy level, the CHR said it continues to advocate for reforms aimed at strengthening media freedom. It has urged Congress to consider measures to decriminalize libel and cyberlibel, noting that imprisonment for defamation may undermine freedom of expression and contribute to legal harassment through Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation.
The CHR reiterated that journalists play a crucial role in promoting and defending human rights, stressing that protecting them is part of the State’s obligation to uphold the public’s right to truth.
National Press Week is observed annually during the second week of February under Proclamation No. 161, issued in 1964 by then president Diosdado Macapagal, which encourages recognition of the role of a free and responsible press in national life.