More programs seen for media workers under new admin

MANILA, Philippines — More programs await media workers in the country in the incoming administration of president-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Trixie Cruz-Angeles, Marcos’ press secretary-designate, revealed that the incoming administration is crafting a “more expansive” policy that will give media workers more protection and benefits.

“We are crafting possibly a new policy on the safety of our journalists and possibly make it a little more expansive,” she bared in an interview last week.

Angeles explained that the incoming administration will continue with the operations of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMs) of the Duterte administration, but will also introduce programs promoting journalists’ welfare.

For instance, the updated policy may include a program that would help media practitioners cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, she said.

“So, you know, we are looking into welfare, not just safety or protection, because apparently the current policy is focused on attacks, physical attacks on our journalists. We would also like to look at expanding it to include the welfare of our journalists. Some of them have been hit very hard by the pandemic,” Angeles pointed out.

The PTFoMs was created by President Duterte in October 2016 through his Administrative Order 1 to safeguard and protect journalists from threats and violence.

Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco, PTFoMS executive director, said the creation of the media task force is “indeed a legacy” of the Duterte administration because it has created a “safe environment” for Philippine journalists.

Angeles revealed the plan after the National Press Club (NPC), in its special resolution, urged the Marcos administration to keep the PTFoMs, which has served as a direct line of media workers to the Office of the President for prompt action on their concerns.

It also urged Marcos to consider strengthening the PTFoMS by issuing an executive order converting it into a presidential commission for media security that will “broaden its power in effectively addressing all concerns related to the country’s media sector.”