MANILA – Media practitioners should to perform their job without restriction, according to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as he vowed to defend press freedom in the country.
In a speech during the 50th Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP), the Chief Executive said he prefers that media practitioners be critical.
“Unlike many of my predecessors, I do not seek collaboration, for that implies a surrender of your independence. I am of the opinion that national interest is better served by a press that is critical rather than a press that is cooperative,” Marcos said.
“(The press) must have the untrammeled freedom to do its work, not just to arm the citizenry with the truth, but also to deepen discernment in this age of mass disinformation,” he added.
President Marcos also promised to continue defending press freedom in the Philippines and to continue protecting and ensuring the welfare of Filipino media practitioners.
“My duty as the President is not to ask special favors from you (media practitioners), but only fairness which everyone deserves from the Fourth Estate,” the Chief Executive said.
He added: “As President, I will seek this forum not only to explain our policies but to renew my vow to what I deeply believe in: That the President’s role is to defend press freedom, and not lead in destroying it or demeaning its practitioners.”
President Marcos’ presence in the FOCAP marked the first time in nine years that a country’s leader has attended the forum./PN
