National News
Andanar warns of ‘intellectual vacuum’ without free press 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.
“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.” 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.
on the importance of press freedom 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.
PTFoMS, created through May 3 is proclaimed as World Administrative Order 1 inked by Duterte Press Freedom Day to raise awareness in October 2016, is tasked to protect
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| May 2-8, 2020
