PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. yesterday vowed to support and protect the media as he committed to uphold press freedom and the right to free speech.
During the President’s Night organized by the Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC), the Chief Executive also said that his government will always be “ready to lend an ear and to listen to your concerns and to answer all that you may want to know.”
Marcos also said the media plays a crucial role in nation building as well as in building an active citizenry, who contributes to the development of the society.
He said the country depends on the media for information, especially about issues that affect our country and the world, and the press’ proactive participation in keeping a well-informed citizenry forms part of his administration’s goal to empower Filipinos and establish a more robust Philippines.
“I will stand here and I will say that you may rest assured that we continue to articulate our plans with the members of the media, of course, especially the Manila Overseas Press Club. As I share your club’s conviction in the importance of upholding the universal right of free speech and press freedom as well as giving and receiving accurate information, I’m committed to remain open with you, constantly communicating our progress as we move forward,” the President said.
In return, he asked the members of the media to effectively communicate to the public the government’s efforts and initiatives towards the country’s development.
Marcos, who ran under a platform of unity, said the government and media are partners and this relationship should be strengthened.
“It is the job of our media practitioners to not only analyze, to not only make, give their opinion, but to also inform and let our people know what the government is doing and how it will help their lives and how they can be part of that progress, that process of progress that we have started. Under my lead, we will support and protect the rights of the media as they efficiently perform their duty. Whatever difficulties we may encounter from this point on, the government will always be ready to lend an ear and to listen to your concerns and to answer all that you may want to know,” he said.
“We will not be your leader but we will be your partner, as we work together to see the full promise of the Filipino nation fulfilled in the days and in the years ahead,” he added.
The President also talked anew of his administration’s objective of ensuring food security and the strengthening of the agricultural sector, as well as his government’s sustaining of the infrastructure program that was started by his predecessor and has now been renamed as the “Build Better More Infrastructure Agenda.”
He emphasized the need for efficient infrastructure systems to serve as the backbone of the economy. Some of these programs are undertaken under a public-private partnership arrangement.
Marcos also talked of the peace process in Mindanao and his address during the United Nations General Assembly and what the country could contribute in promoting peace and development, especially in the Asean region, and his first 100 days in office.
