The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) has empowered local media to be more professional and how to navigate the challenges of the digital landscape, especially on legal issues such as cyberlibel.
Undersecretary Paul Gutierrez, executive director of PTFoMS, stressed the importance of ethical journalism and the responsibility of media practitioners in upholding truth and integrity.
Over 100 local media practitioners as well as members of the Association of Negros Oriental Public Information Officers attended this year’s Visayas Media Summit on July 26, led by PTFoMS in partnership with the Dumaguete City government and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Dumaguete.
Gutierrez said the main priority of PTFoMS is to safeguard press freedom by adopting measures that will protect the life, liberty and security of media practitioners.
He encouraged the media practitioners to create their own professional organization with their own internal disciplinary mechanism and membership requirements.
“Kaya lang atakihin ang media based on data and experience, kaya lang kayo mabibiktima dahil masaydo kayong abusado, remember freedom is never absolute, the media have great power but comes great responsibility ‘ika nga,” said Gutierrez.
He said that if the media is in the payola of politicians, police or gambling lords, the practice of paying radio presenters to broadcast favorable political comments on air may face harassment and threats.
Juancho “Choy” Gallarde, president of the Dumaguete Press Club, addressed the media community, emphasizing the need for integrity and credibility, especially with the upcoming elections.
Gallarde urged media practitioners to resist being used for political purposes.
“We will not destroy our integrity, credibility just because we receive payments due to the upcoming election. Because [in the] next election, we will suffer for three years, so if possible, we will not let them use us,” Gallarde said.
Dr. Warlito Caturay, director of the Office of Information and Publications and information officer of Silliman University, shared the value of the media guidelines, particularly in managing social media platforms.
“Understanding and enhancing social media discourse is apt and helpful to my work and some of these guidelines have been applied now,” said Caturay.
He noted the importance of understanding cybercrime laws and the relationship between the media and law enforcement.
“This gives us updates on important things every journalist must know, for example, cybercrime law. This is relatively new so it’s a good backgrounder for us. The police terms on relationship on the media are also very important para walang violations,” said Caturay.
This year’s Visayas Media Summit served as a crucial platform for media professionals to reinforce their commitment to ethical journalism and to stay informed about the evolving challenges in the field. (PIA-Negros Oriental)