Jonathan Frederic De Santos

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) on Saturday marked World Press Freedom Day with a warning that state repression remains the biggest threat to media freedom in the country, as it cited continued attacks against journalists under the Marcos Jr. administration. Courtesy: Altermidya via Eon Sanchez, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Marilyn Cahatol

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17880695694601777776811143HHXGeDqbsAAWRfA.jpeg.webp" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) mark World Press Freedom Day on May 3, 2023 with a warning that state repression remains the biggest threat to media freedom in the country, as it cited continued attacks against journalists under the Marcos Jr. administration. <em>Altermidya via Eon Sanchez, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Commission on Human Rights joined the observance of National Press Freedom Day on Sunday, August 30, urging the government to address impunity in attacks against media workers and to prioritize measures supporting free press.</p><p>“A free and independent press is vital to a functioning democracy, empowering communities, holding power accountable, and bringing attention to the realities of the country’s marginalised and disadvantaged sectors,” CHR said in a statement. </p><p>The commission stressed that “press freedom in the Philippines continues to face serious challenges,” citing the Philippines’ 114th ranki in the Reporters Without Borders’ 2026 World Press Freedom Index.</p><p>CHR noted that “the lack of accountability for crimes against media workers perpetuates a dangerous cycle of impunity” and urged the government to prioritize justice for victims and their families. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/3/-state-repression-remains-top-threat-to-ph-press-freedom-nujp-says-1101"><strong>&#x27;State repression&#x27; remains top threat to PH press freedom, NUJP says<br/></strong></a></div><p>It further underscored that the Supreme Court has ruled that red-tagging, vilification, labelling, and guilt by association constitute threats to a person’s life, liberty, and security. </p><p>CHR said its National Inquiry on Red-Tagging found media practitioners a frequent targets of these, particularly those who report critically on the government.</p><p>“Protecting journalists must therefore extend beyond physical safety to addressing intimidation and vilification that restrict press freedom,” it said. </p><p>The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines has recorded 242 incidents of violations to media freedom under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  More than four in ten, 43%, were attributed to government and state security forces. </p><p>Ten journalists have been slain under Marcos&#x27; term, including community journalist <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/28/presidential-task-force-to-investigate-death-of-community-journalist-in-negros-military-operation-1754">RJ Ledesma</a> who was killed in an operation in Toboso, Negros Occidental, and the military claimed was a rebel. </p><p>Several others remain detained or facing charges over reporting that are unfavorable to the government and powerful entities. </p><p>Last July, Bacolod-based journalist <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/7/19/media-groups-slam-case-vs-journalists-over-opinion-piece-critical-of-religious-group-1602">Marchel Espina</a> and her colleagues were issued warrants of arrest over unjust vexation charges filed by a local leader of Iglesia ni Cristo. </p><p>The complaint stemmed from an opinion article published by SunStar Cebu in December 2024, when Espina was the newspaper&#x27;s editor-in-chief. </p><p>Another community journalist, <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/15/jailed-filipino-journalist-frenchie-mae-cumpio-honored-by-iwmf-0800">Frenchie Mae Cumpio</a>, was accused of terrorism financing and has been detained for six years since 2020.  </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/3/-state-repression-remains-top-threat-to-ph-press-freedom-nujp-says-1101">&#x27;State repression&#x27; remains top threat to PH press freedom, NUJP says</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>LAWS, POLICIES</strong></div><p>CHR urged Congress to prioritize measures supporting press freedom and media workers’ rights, especially the decriminalization of libel and cyberlibel.</p><p>These include the following bills filed under the 20th Congress:</p><ul style="list-style-type:disc"><li>House Bill (HB) No. 1188 by Rep. Brian Poe Llamanzares</li><li>HB No. 441 by Rep. Antonio Tinio and Renee Co</li><li>HB No. 6187 by Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and Maximo Rodriguez</li><li>Senate Bill (SB) No. 810 by Sen. Loren Legarda</li><li>SB No. 476 by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada</li><li>SB No. 250 by Sen. Erwin Tulfo</li></ul><div><br/></div><p>CHR also urged Congress to review measures said to be against disinformation but could instead stifle free speech and encourage self-censorship.</p><p>“Broad or vague provisions, disproportionate penalties, and approaches that focus on individual content rather than the systems that enable disinformation risk stifling free speech and encouraging self-censorship, particularly among journalists and ordinary citizens,” it said. </p><p>Last June, the House approved the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/5/house-anti-fake-news-bill-draws-free-speech-concerns-1554">House Bill No. 9465</a>, or the proposed Digital Media Anti-False Information Act, on third and final reading despite concerns over its “vague” framing and heavy penalty.</p><p>CHR added that artificial intelligence also poses risks to press freedom, as it could be used to surveil journalists and expose confidential sources. </p><p>Algorithms could also suppress dissent, and AI-generated disinformation can undermine legitimate reporting, said CHR. </p><p>“When journalists are silenced, people lose information necessary to make informed decisions, participate meaningfully in public life, and hold institutions accountable,” CHR said. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZoOb9CbLGbw?si=DL-hxL6iEjOCCjcC" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The Commission on Human Rights joined the observance of National Press Freedom Day on Sunday, Aug. 30, urging the government to address impunity against media workers and to prioritize measures supporting free press.</p>

The Commission on Human Rights joined the observance of National Press Freedom Day on Sunday, Aug. 30, urging the government to address impunity against media workers and to prioritize measures supporting free press.

On National Press Freedom Day, CHR urges gov’t to address impunity in attacks on media

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On National Press Freedom Day, CHR urges gov’t to address impunity in attacks on media

Marilyn Cahatol,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 30, 2026 02:15 PM PHT

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