The fight for a free press is the fight for democracy itself.
On November 23, The Maguindanao Massacre, referred to as the “single deadliest attack” on the press, which claimed the lives of 58 individuals—including 32 journalists—is a stark reminder of the perils faced by media practitioners in the Philippines.
Fifteen years after the Maguindanao Massacre, our country remains one of the most dangerous places for journalists, with five media practitioners killed since Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office.
Despite government claims that democratic spaces remain intact, the reality paints a different picture. The killing of Maria Vilma Rodriguez at her very home and the detention of Frenchie Mae Cumpio on dubious charges exemplify the threats journalists face. On top of this, Filipino journalists continue to endure harassment, red-tagging, and gender-based violence.
The continuing existence of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) exacerbates these risks by red-tagging journalists and human rights defenders, stifling legitimate dissent and activism.
To truly honor the memory of those lost in the Maguindanao Massacre, we must demand the Marcos Jr. administration abolish the NTF-ELCAC, seek justice for the 81 unresolved cases of journalist killings, and foster an environment where press freedom is genuinely protected and upheld.
A thriving democracy requires an informed and unafraid citizenry, which begins with safeguarding those who speak truth to power.
#EndImpunity #StopKillingJournalists
