2021 State of Press Freedom in the Philippines Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility executive director Melinda De Jesus presented this report during the celebration of the World Press Freedom Day on May 3, 2021. May 5, 2021 | 09:00:00 PM
CMFR executive director
Melinda De Jesus discusses the history of the Philippine press fighting the Marcos dictatorship to restore democracy, and the country s recent decline to authoritarianism under President Rodrigo Duterte. She also discusses CMFR s database on attacks and threats against journalists, new laws that tighten restrictions on the Philippines media, and how the coronavirus pandemic exacerbated the situation.
By law, the Duterte presidency ends in 2022. It renders this assessment of press freedom in the PH in a new light. The next election confronts the nation with a fork on the road; to turn the page or stay with the status quo. Filipinos must make their choice wit
Journalists, advocates bike for detained colleagues
MANILA Journalists and press freedom advocates held a Pedal for Press Freedom this morning, Feb. 7, marking the first year of detention of Tacloban-based journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio.
Cumpio, executive director of online media outfit Eastern Vista, was arrested last year along with four human rights defenders. They were charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
The route of the bike ride highlighted the pressing issues hounding the media recently.
Members of Altermidya-People’s Media Network, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, ABS-CBN Employees Union and Photojournalists Center of the Philippines (PCP), and progressive organizations pedaled from the University of the Philippines in Diliman to ABS-CBN.