PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. has named former Philippine Information Agency (PIA) director general Jose Torres Jr. as the new executive director of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS).
Torres, who replaced Paul Guiterrez whose term ended last September, began his career as a writer for the Philippine News and Features before working in various media outlets such as GMA News Online and was among the journalists included in the Vatican Accredited Media Personnel.
The President, during the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) 50th Top Level Management Conference in Tagaytay City, said the marching orders of Torres and PTFoMS were to strengthen efforts to protect media personnel and practitioners as well as to protect their rights and welfare.
Marcos also directed PTFoMS to intensify and strengthen its partnerships with media groups such as KBP, the National Press Club (NPC), and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP).
“I have directed the PTFOMS, chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Justice, to ramp up and intensify operations in relation and in preparation for the upcoming 2025 midterm elections,” he said.
“In particular, I asked the PTFOMS to focus their efforts on the members of the local media, whose fearless coverage makes them particularly vulnerable to threats against life, liberty, and security,” he added.
The President said that based on the country’s experience, the debates and rivalry among political candidates from areas with “smaller” are usually more heated and eventually “becomes personal at that level.”
“And that is where we have to protect our people and our journalists,” Marcos said, as he affirmed the government’s commitment to keep journalists in the country safe and to support them in defending the truth and addressing the demands of a modern press.
MEDIA ROLE
The President highlighted the vital role of media in “dispelling the noxious influence of misinformation, dismantling the lies that are spread by troll farms and other malicious organizations.”
Marcos said in this age of technological advancements and the popularity of social media, more disinformation and misinformation campaigns have emerged, which could undermine public trust in the entire democratic process, including elections.
“Now more than ever, your work holds immense value. An informed citizenry is the foundation of a truly working democracy, for it is the people—armed with the truth— from whom power emanates and who demand accountability,” he said.
“This conviction stands particularly critical for we live in an age where information can be shared and received instantly. With this vast reach comes the crucial and absolutely very complex and difficult responsibility of distinguishing fact from fiction, standing guard against distortion,” he added.
Marcos said the duty of the media goes beyond simply informing the public as “enlightens” and “empowers” the people.
“By championing integrity and accuracy, the broadcast media helps build public trust, which in turn strengthens our democracy…After all, your influence as a journalist is profound. With every report, story, and headline, you help shape public perception — strengthening our citizens’ capabilities to make informed choices and to voice their dreams and aspirations,” he said.
The President also encouraged journalists to continue exploring new and creative ways to engage the public and to adapt to the continuous evolution of the media industry through the development of “new skills, new resources, and, of course, the new technologies.”
Marcos likewise asked the media to help ensure the conduct of clean, honest, and transparent midterm elections next year and to help safeguard the country’s democracy.
This developed as Marcos acknowledged the KBP’s partnership with the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) to help promote and ensure clean, honest, and transparent 2025 elections.
“I urge you to remain steadfast in these principles that protect the trust bestowed to all of us by the Filipino people. Let us also explore new and creative ways to engage and inspire the public. We need a citizenry that is not only informed but is also actively involved—vigilant, ready to defend the values that we hold dear,” he said.
The KBP was organized on April 27, 1973 as a non-government and non-profit organization of the Philippine broadcast media.
