The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) joins the nation in observing National Press Freedom Day on 30 August 2026. A free and independent press is vital to a functioning democracy, empowering communities, holding power accountable, and bringing attention to the realities of the country’s marginalised and disadvantaged sectors.

Yet press freedom in the Philippines continues to face serious challenges. The country’s 114th ranking in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders is a reminder of its volatile media landscape. [1] The lack of accountability for crimes against media workers perpetuates a dangerous cycle of impunity. The CHR thus urges the State to prioritise swift justice for victims and their families.

Red-tagging and other forms of intimidation also threaten journalists and the public’s right to information. The Supreme Court has ruled that red-tagging, vilification, labelling, and guilt by association constitute threats to a person’s life, liberty, and security. [2] The CHR’s National Inquiry on Red-Tagging likewise found journalists and media practitioners among those frequently targeted, particularly for reporting deemed critical of government programmes and policies, and recommended legislation penalising red-tagging as a distinct offence. [3] Protecting journalists must therefore extend beyond physical safety to addressing intimidation and vilification that restrict press freedom.

As the country’s national human rights institution, the CHR continues to strengthen mechanisms for the protection and welfare of media workers. Its partnership with the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) supports information-sharing, case build-up, and assistance for affected journalists. [4] Regional consultations with media workers have also informed the Commission’s Framework on Media Welfare and Human Rights and efforts aligned with the Philippine Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists. [5] Through its Alisto! Alert Mechanism, media workers may directly report threats and incidents for appropriate monitoring, investigation, and response. [6]

Beyond protection mechanisms, laws and policies must foster an environment where journalism can flourish without fear of criminalisation or undue restriction. The CHR reiterates its support for the decriminalisation of libel and cyberlibel. [7] In the 20th Congress, these reforms are advanced through House Bill (HB) No. 1188 by Rep. Brian Poe Llamanzares, HB No. 441 by Representatives Antonio L. Tinio and Renee Co, and HB No. 6187 by Representatives Rufus B. Rodriguez and Maximo Rodriguez; and Senate Bill (SB) No. 810 by Senator Loren Legarda, SB No. 476 by Senator Jinggoy Estrada, and SB No. 250 by Senator Erwin Tulfo. The CHR urges Congress to consolidate and prioritise these measures and replace imprisonment with proportionate civil remedies. [8]

At the same time, measures against disinformation must safeguard constitutional rights. In reviewing measures such as House Bill No. 9465, or the proposed Digital Media Anti-False Information Act, and its Senate counterpart, the CHR cautions that broad or vague provisions, disproportionate penalties, and approaches that focus on individual content rather than the systems that enable disinformation risk stifling free speech and encouraging self-censorship, particularly among journalists and ordinary citizens. The Commission urges lawmakers to review these measures with stakeholders and adopt a human rights-based approach that protects legitimate expression and press freedom while addressing the roots of disinformation.

Emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, also pose new risks to press freedom. Digital tools are increasingly used to surveil journalists and expose confidential sources, while algorithms can suppress dissent and AI-generated disinformation can undermine legitimate reporting. [9][10] The CHR urges the State to protect journalists’ data, communications, and sources as part of its duty to safeguard press freedom, while ensuring that responses to emerging technologies uphold human rights.

This National Press Freedom Day, the CHR calls on the government to address impunity and foster a safe and enabling civic space free from censorship and intimidation. Journalists, by exposing abuses and providing communities with information to protect their rights, are also human rights defenders entitled to protection. [11] When journalists are silenced, people lose information necessary to make informed decisions, participate meaningfully in public life, and hold institutions accountable.

The CHR stands in solidarity with the Philippine media and will continue working with media workers, government institutions, and other stakeholders to protect press freedom. A free press is essential to a society where human rights are respected, violations are exposed, and people can demand accountability.###

References:
[1] https://rsf.org/en/country/philippines
[2] https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/1/69362
[3] https://chr.gov.ph/chr-resource/national-inquiry-on-red-tagging-national-inquiry-on-the-current-situation-of-human-rights-defenders-in-the-philippines-with-a-focus-on-incidents-of-red-tagging/
[4] https://chr.gov.ph/chr-and-ptfoms-forge-stronger-partnership-to-protect-media-workers-rights-and-safety/
[5] https://chr.gov.ph/chr-leads-ncr-dialogue-to-strengthen-national-framework-on-media-safety/
[6] https://chr.gov.ph/statement-of-the-commission-on-human-rights-launching-the-alisto-alert-mechanism-to-support-the-philippine-plan-of-action-on-the-safety-of-journalists-as-part-of-the-national-press-week-celebration/
[7] https://bit.ly/HRAonDecrimofLibel
[8] https://chr.gov.ph/chr-supports-legislative-initiatives-to-decriminalize-libel-and-cyberlibel/
[9] https://www.ifj.org/media-centre/news/detail/category/brave/article/global-ifj-study-exposes-worldwide-systemic-surveillance-of-journalists
[10] https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/sessions-regular/session62/advance-versions/a-hrc-62-67-aev.pdf
[11] https://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/sr-human-rights-defenders/declaration-human-rights-defenders