The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) yesterday assured media practitioners in Negros Oriental that their concerns will be addressed as it advances the Philippine Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists.
Marc Louis Siapno, head of the CHR’s Strategic Communication Division, said at a stakeholders’ dialogue here that he would raise the concerns of the Negros Oriental media with an inter-agency group overseeing the action plan’s development and implementation.
“The first step is listening to you now, and then we will find solutions in the next steps forward,” Siapno told more than 10 journalists during the dialogue initiated by the CHR in partnership with the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS).
Siapno outlined five flagship programs of the Philippine Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists: integrity and professionalism, conducive working conditions, protection mechanisms, the criminal justice system, and public information, journalism education, and research.
“We will take a look at your concerns and determine which of the flagship areas are relevant and how we can help you through the Philippine Plan of Action,” he said.
Veteran journalist Fernando Sepe Jr., project director with the Photojournalists’ Center of the Philippines, provided the overview of the dialogue alignment to the action plan and facilitated the workshop on risks and challenges faced by the media.
The activity included a workshop where the participants were made to identify and write down their experiences or those of media colleagues on attacks, assaults and other forms of threats.
They also documented the status of these incidents or cases, along with suggested recommendations to resolve these issues.
The most common concern raised by reporters was physical and verbal threats and “attacks” by politicians related to news reporting.
Meanwhile, Gazzelene B. Corsame-Fuentes, officer-in-charge of the CHR in Negros Oriental, emphasized the importance of inter-agency coordination.
“The CHR, as part of its mandate, is committed to protecting and fulfilling the rights of everyone, especially our media practitioners in terms of their safety and security,” Fuentes, a lawyer, said.
Additionally, lawyer Francis Rupert Mangrobang of PTFoMS stated that they are sharing information and cases with the CHR and collaborating with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation regarding media safety.
Mangrobang noted that no matter which agency manages and addresses an incident, the PTFoMS will consistently be available to respond whenever needed or requested.
He also assured that although online attacks are not yet part of their mandate, the PTFoMS can coordinate with certain agencies, such as the PNP Cyber Crime Unit, to assist media practitioners facing threats.
The CHR announced that upcoming activities, including online training sessions, will be available to help the media enhance and practice their skills in a safe environment.
At least three broadcast journalists were killed in Dumaguete City in 2018, 2019 and 2020. (PNA)