THE Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS) vowed to uphold gender-responsive media protection, particularly of female journalists in the country.
Undersecretary Jose Torres Jr., PTFOMS executive director, issued the statement as he acknowledged women journalists for being fact-checkers, detail-oriented and nurturers.
“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 last April 23 and 24 at the Bayview Park Hotel in Manila.
“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, the realities in communities, the concerns of women and children, and the lived experiences of those on the margins of society,” he added.
Noting how gender-based safety is becoming more crucial for women journalists as violence is becoming prevalent both in local and global settings, Torres pointed out the need to further empower women in the industry to uphold a safe space in discharging their duties on the field or in the newsroom.
Many women journalists continue to face threats that go beyond the usual risks of the profession. These include gender-based harassment, intimidation, online abuse, workplace discrimination, and in some cases, direct threats to personal safety. These challenges “are unacceptable in any democratic society that values press freedom and human rights.”
“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 also be responsive to the specific vulnerabilities and pressures you face. Your welfare, your dignity, your safety, and your right to pursue your profession without fear are matters of national importance,” Torres said.
He said that the government “remains committed to upholding press freedom and ensuring that government institutions work together to protect members of the media.”
“We seek to strengthen systems of protection, access to support mechanisms, and channels for immediate response to threats and acts of harassment,” Torres added. KRISTINA MARALIT
