Journalists need stronger protection not only from physical attacks but also from intimidation, red-tagging and vilification that can suppress press freedom, the Commission on Human Rights said Sunday.
Marking National Press Freedom Day, the CHR pressed the government to confront impunity and ensure that journalists can work without censorship, harassment or threats against themselves and their families.
The commission also renewed its push to decriminalize libel and cyberlibel, arguing that violations should instead be addressed through proportionate civil remedies.
It called for a human rights-based review of proposed legislation targeting false information, warning that measures against disinformation should not undermine legitimate expression or independent journalism.
The CHR likewise stressed the need to safeguard journalists’ communications, personal data and confidential sources as new technologies create additional challenges for media freedom.
Existing protection efforts include the commission’s Alisto! Alert Mechanism, which allows media workers to report threats and other incidents for monitoring, investigation and response. The CHR also signed an agreement with the Presidential Task Force on Media Security in 2025 to strengthen assistance for journalists at risk.
The Philippines placed 114th among 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, slightly improving from 116th the previous year. Despite the improvement, the country remained in the lower half of the ranking.
National Press Freedom Day is observed every Aug. 30 in honor of Marcelo H. del Pilar, with the CHR stressing that an independent press remains essential to exposing abuses, demanding accountability and giving citizens information needed to participate in public life.
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