MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has renewed his pledge to protect press freedom in the Philippines, telling foreign correspondents that his administration will defend the media rather than diminish its role in a democratic society.
Speaking at the Presidential Luncheon of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) in Manila on Friday, August 14, Marcos said his position on press freedom had not changed.
“Two years ago, I spoke of a principle that I deeply believe in: that the role of the President is to defend press freedom, never to diminish it. This conviction remains unchanged,” Marcos said, according to the Philippine Information Agency.
He described a free, independent and responsible press as indispensable to democracy and said journalists, including photojournalists, should be considered partners in promoting transparency and good governance. He also stressed the importance of credibility among both journalists and public officials, calling it fundamental to public trust.
But Marcos’ renewed promise comes as the Philippines continues to face difficult questions over journalist safety, independent reporting and the government’s approach to misinformation.
Marcos points to fight against AI-generated misinformation
The President said the government is also confronting a rapidly changing information environment, particularly the spread of artificial intelligence-generated content, misinformation and disinformation.
He cited Oplan Kontra Fake News, a government initiative intended to respond to disinformation and hold accountable those responsible for spreading fabricated content. The administration has also been strengthening the Presidential Task Force on Media Security, including efforts involving legal assistance, intelligence coordination and cybercrime response mechanisms for journalists, according to the Palace account of his speech.
The initiative expanded earlier this year when the Presidential Communications Office signed an agreement with nine major Philippine newspaper organizations to strengthen cooperation on fact-based reporting, media literacy and responsible information sharing.
Yet efforts to fight false information have also raised concerns among rights advocates about how broadly governments can regulate online speech.
The Reuters Institute’s 2026 Digital News Report noted that Philippine lawmakers were advancing proposals that could introduce criminal penalties, regulatory oversight and content-removal mechanisms for allegedly false or misleading online material. The report also warned that some proposals could expose journalists to heightened penalties, despite safeguards being discussed for legitimate journalism.
Human Rights Watch separately warned in June that the proposed Digital Media Anti-False Information Act contained vague and overly broad provisions that could be abused to restrict legitimate expression and potentially undermine the independence of news organizations.
Philippines remains a dangerous place for journalists
The broader press-freedom picture is also more complicated than the government’s latest pledge might suggest.
Reporters Without Borders’ 2026 World Press Freedom Index places the Philippines at 114th out of 180 countries, an improvement from 116th in 2025, but still describes the country as one of the world’s most dangerous environments for journalists. RSF’s current country profile records three journalists killed in 2026 and one journalist detained as of its latest update.
Human Rights Watch likewise said in its World Report 2026 that the Philippines remains a deadly place to work as a journalist. It documented three journalist killings in 2025 and cited continuing concerns over intimidation, threats and attacks against members of the press.
The Committee to Protect Journalists has also continued to document cases involving threats and violence. In May, CPJ called for a full investigation into the killing of radio journalist Nestor Micator, while a separate case involving journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio drew international condemnation after she received a 12- to 18-year prison sentence in January for terrorism-financing charges.
Cumpio’s case has become especially significant in debates about press freedom because press-freedom groups have argued that the prosecution could have a chilling effect on critical reporting. FOCAP has also raised concerns over the case and warned about the potential impact on independent journalism.
Why FOCAP’s setting matters
Marcos’ message was delivered before an organization with a particularly important history in the Philippines.
FOCAP was founded in 1974, during the martial-law period under the late Ferdinand Marcos Sr., when press restrictions were imposed and journalists faced detention, censorship and other forms of government pressure. The organization says it was established in part to protect foreign correspondents and preserve independent reporting during that period.
That history gives the President’s declaration added significance.
At the luncheon, Marcos acknowledged that government and media organizations will not always agree — and argued that they should not necessarily agree — but said both sides share an interest in pursuing the truth.
The real test is what happens after the speech
Marcos’ latest statement is consistent with several commitments he has made since taking office.
In 2024, he said the government was “doubling down” on its responsibility to protect Filipino journalists and uphold press freedom. He also honored journalists killed in the line of duty and acknowledged threats ranging from violence to cyberlibel and misinformation.
In March 2026, he again described the Philippines as one of the most dangerous places for journalists while pledging stronger protections for media workers.
The challenge now is translating those promises into measurable protections.
For journalists, that means credible investigations into killings, protection from intimidation and harassment, safeguards against abusive legal action, and enough space for news organizations to report critically without fear.
For the government, the fight against disinformation presents a difficult balancing act: combating demonstrably false information while ensuring that laws and enforcement mechanisms cannot be used to punish legitimate criticism or investigative journalism.
That tension is likely to define the next chapter of the country’s press-freedom debate.
Marcos has made his position clear: the presidency, he says, should defend press freedom, not diminish it.
The harder question is whether institutions, laws and enforcement on the ground will consistently match that promise.
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