PTFOMS, PAO PROMOTE MEDIA SAFETY, FREEDON AND RESPONSIBLE REPORTING

December 16, 2023 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY

The Presidential Task Force on Media Safety and Security (PTFoMS), in partnership with the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), conducted the Northern Luzon leg of the 2023 PTFoMS Nationwide Summit in Baguio City on December 11, 2023, in continuing efforts to promote media safety, freedom and responsible reporting.

PTFoMS co-chairpersons Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy VericariaGarafil, in their respective messages read by PTFoMS Executive Director Undersecretary Paul Gutierrez, outlined the importance of engaging the country’s media practitioners in ensuring a free, safe and responsible media sector in the country.

“As we gather here today, we are reminded of the vital role of the freedom of the press and the safety of its members that serve as a lifeblood of our democracy. Let us use today’s gathering as a step forward towards a safer environment for the press where truth and justice prevail,” Remulla said. “As we continue, we cannot overemphasize the importance of upholding the freedom of the press as such freedom is indispensable to democracy and any threat to it is a threat to democracy itself.

This is why this symposium hosted by the PTFoMS and the PAO cannot be more relevant and more significant. Our conference theme, ‘empowering the media for a safer tomorrow,’ offers a dynamic platform in igniting our dedication to media safety, freedom and responsibility,” Garafil added. The PTFoMS, created under Administrative Order No. 01 series of 2016, is tasked to lead in the efficient, coherent, and comprehensive resolution of cases of violence against media workers.

Gutierrez explained that the summit aimed to provide learning sessions for media practitioners, and at the same time, remind them of the importance of responsible and ethical journalism that are
geared towards creating a safer environment for the media community in the country. The summit included learning sessions on the orientation on recalibrated PTFoMS; Libel and Cyberlibel; Ethical Guidelines for Media Workers and the Effects of Irresponsible Journalism; Responsible Journalism in Times of Wars and Threats, and the Use of Gender Fair Language in News Writing and Reporting.

Chief Public Attorney Dr. Persida Rueda-Acosta, in her inspirational message, said the media summit shows PTFoMS and PAO’s commitment to provide capacity building activities for media
practitioners, while providing a venue for strengthening the bond among the men and women who share the profession, as well as between the government and the media sector. Acosta also assured that through the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the country’s judiciary system is very well functioning and is working on ensuring justice for everyone.

“Dito sa ating bansa operational ang husgado, operational ang law enforcement agencies at ang mga investigative arms, gumagana ang hustisya kaya po may mga nasasakdal, at mayroon tayong Presidente na makatarungan, at buhay na buhay na namumuno sa ating bayan [Justice is operational in our country, the law enforcement agencies and investigative arms are operational. The justice system is working, that is why there are those who are being charged, and we have a
President who is just and vibrantly leading our country],” Acosta stressed.

From 2016 to October of this year, the PTFoMS has been working on 142 work-related media killings in the country, wherein 78 cases were resolved, 27 prescribed, 28 ongoing, and nine remain
unsolved, PTFoMS Chief of Staff Atty. Hue Jyro Go shared. The North Luzon PTFoMS Summit with the theme, “Promoting a Free and Responsible Press towards a Safer Media Community,” was the fifth and last leg of the nationwide campaign this year. More than 50 media practitioners and information officers from national government agencies and law enforcement offices attended
the summit.

(JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)