Tagaytay City: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has appointed former Philippine Information Agency (PIA) director general Jose Torres Jr. as the new head of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS). The appointment comes with a clear directive to protect journalists from threats of violence as the nation approaches the 2025 mid-term elections. Marcos made this announcement during the 50th top-level management conference of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) held at the Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay City. According to Philippines News Agency, President Marcos emphasized the importance of safeguarding media personnel, stressing the need for robust operations led by the newly appointed Executive Director Jose Torres. The PTFoMS, chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Justice, has been tasked with intensifying efforts, particularly focusing on local media members who face increased vulnerability due to their fearless coverage. Torres takes over from former executive director Paul Guiterrez, whose term concluded in September. Jose Torres Jr. brings a wealth of experience to the role, having begun his career in journalism with the Philippine News and Features in the late 1980s. His extensive background includes work with various media outlets both domestically and internationally. Notably, Torres has covered significant events such as Pope Francis' visits to Asia as part of the Vatican Accredited Media Personnel. President Marcos reiterated the administration's commitment to making the Philippines a safe environment for journalists and media practitioners. He highlighted the potential for political debates to become personal, particularly in smaller constituencies, underscoring the need for journalist protection. Marcos also called for the PTFoMS to strengthen partnerships with media organizations, including KBP, the National Press Club (NPC), and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP). He acknowledged the media's critical role in combating misinformation a nd emphasized the importance of responsible journalism in building public trust and strengthening democracy. The President expressed optimism that journalists will continue to find innovative ways to engage the public, adapting to the evolving media landscape with new skills and technologies.