MANILA, Philippines — The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS) has vowed to uphold gender-responsive media protection, particularly for female journalists in the country.
Undersecretary Jose Torres Jr., PTFOMS executive director, made the statement as he recognized women journalists for their roles as fact-checkers, detail-oriented storytellers, and advocates of truth.
“Women are indispensable to the practice of journalism and to the life of our democracy. Women journalists are not only reporters of events. They are witnesses to history, voices for the marginalized, and guardians of truth in times when facts are often challenged and misinformation spreads with alarming speed,” Torres said during the “Empowering Women Journalists” workshop held on April 23 and 24 at the Bayview Park Hotel.
“The presence of women in media is essential because it ensures that the stories of our people are told with depth, balance, and humanity. Your voices bring to the national conversation issues that might otherwise remain unheard—the struggles of families, realities in communities, concerns of women and children, and the lived experiences of those on the margins of society,” he added.
Torres noted that many women journalists continue to face threats beyond the usual risks of the profession, including gender-based harassment, intimidation, online abuse, workplace discrimination, and, in some cases, direct threats to their safety. He stressed that such challenges are unacceptable in any democratic society that values press freedom and human rights.
The administration, through PTFOMS, said it would ensure that Filipina journalists are protected from these threats.
“The PTFOMS firmly upholds that the right of every journalist to work freely and safely is a fundamental pillar of democracy. More importantly, for women journalists, this protection must be responsive to the specific vulnerabilities and pressures you face. Your welfare, dignity, safety, and your right to pursue your profession without fear are matters of national importance,” Torres said.
