PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. yesterday urged media practitioners to do their job “without restriction” as he said it is important to have a critical press.
The President, at the 50th anniversary celebration of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP), said nothing should prevent media members from telling the public the truth and holding those in the position accountable.
“It (the press) must have the untrammeled freedom to do its work, not just to arm the citizenry with the truth, but also to deepen discernment in this age of mass disinformation. In fact, this has been the hallmark of FOCAP’s relationship with the presidency and the government for this half century,” he said.
Marcos said he believes the country is better served by a critical press.
“Unlike many of my predecessors, I do not seek collaboration, for that implies a surrender of your independence. I am of the opinion that national interest is better served by a press that is critical rather than a press that is cooperative,” he said.
During the event, the President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to defend press freedom and promote the welfare of the members of the media in the country.
“As President, I will seek this forum, not only to explain our policies, but to renew my vow to what I deeply believe in: That the President’s role is to defend press freedom, and not lead in destroying it or demeaning its practitioners,” he said.
Marcos also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to bring justice to journalists killed in the line of duty as he assured them of a safe environment for media practitioners through the Presidential Task Force on Media Security.
The President’s commitment contrasts with that during martial law period under his father, the late President Ferdinand Marcos, wherein critics including the media had been allegedly suppressed.
The Presidential Communications Office noted it is the first time in nine years that a president attended FOCAP. It said the elder Marcos started the tradition and was the first Philippine leader to grace it 50 years ago.
“Five decades later, I stand here, addressing you as the President, to celebrate your golden anniversary and carry on the legacy of this important media tradition,” Marcos Jr told FOCAP members.
