NO Filipino journalist was killed in relation to the profession in 2024, the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS) said, quoting and welcoming the latest report of the international press freedom watchdog Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
CPJ said while radio reporter Maria Vilma Rodriguez, of 105.9 Emedia FM’s news, was fatally shot in Zamboanga City in October 2024, her death was not work-related but due to a land dispute with her relative. Thus, it was not included in the CPJ database.
“The Philippines marked its first year in two decades without a journalist killing,” the CPJ said in its report.
PTFOMS, in a statement, said while it welcomes the CPJ report, the task force remains vigilant and committed to its mandate, and recognizes that the fight for media security is an ongoing process “and we cannot afford to be complacent.”
It said that zero death is a significant step forward in the ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and security of media workers in the Philippines and a testament to the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, media organizations, and civil society, in promoting a safer environment for the press.
PTFOMS said it would continue to monitor and address all forms of threats and harassment against journalists, including online attacks, intimidation, and other forms of violence.
It also affirmed its commitment to proactively investigate and address all reported cases of threats and violence against journalists; strengthen collaboration with law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to ensure swift and effective action; enhance awareness and education programs on media security and safety protocols; and continue to improve the mechanisms for reporting and responding to incidents involving media security.
“We call on all media organizations and journalists to continue working with the PTFOMS and other relevant agencies to maintain a safe and secure environment for the practice of journalism in the Philippines. We also urge the public to remain vigilant and report any incidents of threats or violence against media workers,” PTFOM said.
“The PTFOMS remains dedicated to upholding the constitutional guarantee of press freedom and ensuring that journalists can perform their duties without fear of reprisal” it added.
In the 2024 Global Impunity Index, the Philippines ranked ninth due to the number of unresolved media deaths, a slight improvement from its eighth and seventh place in 2023 and 2022, respectively.
CPJ has recorded 159 journalists and media workers killed in the Philippines since 1992.
