National News SEC. MARTIN ANDANAR PCOO
NEWS CORNER
Andanar vows to uphold press rights, freedom MANILA – Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Sunday guaranteed that President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration would continue to protect the rights and freedom of the press in the Philippines.
Andanar gave the assurance as he joined journalists and media workers in the Philippines and around the world in celebrating the World Press Freedom Day.
and remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression. In a press statement, Andanar stressed that Duterte formed the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) and signed Republic Act 11458 and Executive Order (EO) 2 on Freedom of Information (FOI) to protect the life, liberty, and security of media workers. “A free and pluralistic press continues to play an important role in the foundation and progress of an informed and empowered society,” Andanar said. “We will continue to endeavor towards the continued promotion of press rights and freedom.” PTFoMS, created through Administrative Order 1 inked by Duterte in October 2016, is tasked to protect members of the press in the country. RA 11458, on the other hand, was signed in August 2019 to expand the coverage of a law protecting journalists, including broadcast and online journalists, from revealing confidential sources. Duterte also signed EO 2 on FOI in July 2016 as part of his campaign promise to promote transparency in the government by allowing Filipinos to obtain documents and records from public offices under the executive branch.
May 3 is proclaimed as World Andanar admitted that there will Press Freedom Day to raise awareness on the importance of press freedom be an “intellectual vacuum” on public
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| May 2-8, 2020
