The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expresses deep concern over the new media accreditation guidelines released by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) on 28 April 2025. Although implementation has been pushed back after a meeting with the Malacañang Press Corps (MPC) Inc., the CHR is hopeful that there will be a more thorough review of the guidelines to ensure that there will be no unintended infringements on press freedom following their implementation.

The said accreditation guidelines require journalists and media outlets to have relevant experience in government coverage for at least five years, thereby putting newer and younger reporters at a disadvantage. Moreover, vague terms in the guidelines such as “false reporting” raise the risk of misuse, as such terms may be weaponized against matters concerning censorship.

With the parameters set by the PCO, these guidelines might pose unintended threats to the fundamental freedoms enshrined in the Philippine Constitution and affirmed by various international human rights frameworks.

Article III, Section 4 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution clearly prohibits any law or policy that abridges the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press. In line with the principles of transparency and good governance, the Commission believes that journalism—particularly the coverage of government affairs, including Malacañang as a prime beat—must not be subjected to undue barriers or administrative sanctions that impede critical inquiry and public discourse.

It must also be noted that the proposed media accreditation guidelines may hinder the Philippines’ current progress in guaranteeing its citizens’ right to information and freedom of speech. Under Article III, Section 7 of the Constitution, the State guarantees the right of the people to information on matters of public concern.

Moreover, Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which the Philippines is a State Party, affirm the right to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas without interference.

The Commission also highlights the potential discriminatory implications of these guidelines. Emerging media entities and young journalists—many of whom cover stories of marginalized sectors and bring independent, critical perspectives—are at risk of exclusion. By requiring media organizations to have existed for a minimum of five years before gaining accreditation, the guidelines effectively discriminate against newer entrants in the media landscape.

The Commission acknowledges the decision of the PCO to defer the implementation of the new guidelines following the MPC’s advice. In light of this, the CHR calls on the PCO and other relevant agencies to ensure that the revised guidelines reflect the principles of press freedom, transparency, and the right to information as enshrined in our domestic laws and international human rights standards. This must be carefully undertaken through consultations with all relevant stakeholders, including media outlets themselves.

While recognizing the PCO’s position on the need for an accreditation process considering the sensitive nature of Malacañang as a news assignment, it should not be at the expense of press freedom.

In the same vein, the Commission also recognizes the responsibility of media organizations to uphold ethical standards in journalism. In this regard, the CHR acknowledges the role of the MPC in exercising self-regulation and internal accountability mechanisms to address cases involving erring media personalities, thereby reinforcing public trust without compromising press freedom.

As the country’s independent national human rights institution, the Commission reiterates that a free press is not a privilege granted by the State—it is a right held by the people. Democracy cannot flourish without a vigilant, independent, and critical media. ###