MAD Statement on commemoration of World Press Freedom Day
May 3, 2023
As the World Press Freedom Day is celebrated around the world today, MAD intensifies its call to defend press freedom and to uphold the people's right to information, which are both indispensable elements of a functioning democracy; a necessary precondition for the enjoyment of all other human rights.
In 2022, the Philippines ranked as the seventh most dangerous country in the world for journalists. It is also the second country—after Mexico—with the most number of murders of journalists despite democratically elected governments, with at least 13 journalists’ murders remaining unsolved as of 2022, including the deaths of radio commentators Renato Blanco and Percival Mabasa within the first two months of President Marcos’ administration.
The right to information is a constitutionally protected right under Article III, Section 7 of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines. As sources of information, journalists deserve the strongest protection in law and in practice, which is anchored on the right to freedom of expression.
Let this Press Freedom commemoration be a reminder for all of us to amplify our call to stop the attacks on journalist freedom and independence, perpetrated by government bodies or private individuals alike.
MAD implores the Philippine government to address the continuing culture of violence against journalists and ensure accountability for such crimes. Further and specifically, we challenge the Marcos administration to make good on its declaration that the government is committed to ensuring transparency and good governance, freedom of expression and of the press, and the protection of media practitioners and their rights in the practice of their profession.
We reiterate our call for the urgent decriminalization of libel. We call for an end to lawfare against the media. We join the demand for the release of media workers facing politically motivated cases, and for the swift resolution of cases involving killings and incessant assault on journalists.
