Citizens are the ultimate beneficiaries from press freedom and the safety of journalists, as they want verified, transparent, and reliable news and information.
The Commission on Human Rights plans to reinforce media safety through a dedicated unit and mechanism within the framework of the CHR. This will be complementary of government efforts in ensuring the safety of journalists.
This will be discussed during the online launch event of the European Union-funded project, “Safeguarding Journalists and Human Rights Defenders in the Philippines” implemented by International Media Support (IMS) and the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC).
Organized as part of this year’s World Press Freedom Day celebrations, the event on May 28 will feature a keynote speech from CHR Executive Director Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia, representing CHR Chairperson Jose Luis Martin Gascon, and a message from Rafael de Bustamante, Deputy Head, Political, Press and Information Section, EU Delegation to the Philippines.
Representatives from the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) will also provide statements during the webinar.
Among the participants are journalists and other content producers, human rights defenders (HRDs), and project stakeholders including representatives from the media, the academe, CSOs, government, and representatives of the European Union Delegation to the Philippines.
The project aims at establishing an enabling environment that is necessary for journalists, HRDs, and other content producers to hold decision-makers to account, as well as provide the public with the information needed for making informed decisions and participating in democratic processes.
Rafael de Bustamante said, “With the launch of the new project, I hope we can give additional push towards the full realization of the Philippine Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists.”
“The protection of journalists and human rights defenders is a priority of the European Union worldwide and in particular in the Philippines,” he added.