Manila: The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) said it is looking to craft more protection measures for media personnel. PTFoMS chief Jose Torres Jr. said this before members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Press Corps in Camp Crame on Thursday as he went various press offices in the country to hold dialogues and formulate recommendations for legislation to protect media workers' welfare.
According to Philippines News Agency, the PTFoMS is conducting consultations with various media organizations and individual journalists to understand the state of the media in the Philippines, as well as the needs and challenges they face. Torres highlighted that the recommendations being considered include protections for freelancers and culturally sensitive training workshops.
While Torres did not specify any particular legislation, House Bill 1985, or the proposed Media Workers' Welfare Act, is intended to ensure that media personnel receive a minimum wage, adequate benefits, and regularization. The bill also proposes the creation of a news media council under the Department of Labor and Employment to develop policies and resolve disputes.
Torres expressed the importance of defending press freedom in the country and mentioned that the ongoing consultations aim to validate the situation on the ground for media workers. He noted one of the significant challenges faced by the sector is the lack of formal cases filed against perpetrators of violence or threats against journalists, often due to financial constraints.
Citing data from the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, Torres revealed that 199 journalists have been killed in the country since 1986. Earlier, the PTFoMS emphasized the necessity for media organizations and practitioners to uphold ethical standards, maintain impartiality, and stay committed to truthful and accurate reporting.
Key initiatives highlighted include the Philippine National Police's Media Vanguards Program, partnerships with the Commission on Human Rights and Public Attorney's Office, and international cooperation efforts.
