The Makabayan Bloc upholds press freedom on the occasion of National Press Freedom Day and takes strong exception to the actions of Leyte Representative Richard Gomez, which we view as going against press freedom and the people’s right to know.
“We lament Representative Gomez’s doxxing of journalists who were simply doing their job,” said ACT Teachers Representative Antonio Tinio.
Assistant Minority Leader and Kabataan Party-list Representative Atty. Renee Louise Co emphasized the broader implications of such attacks on media workers.
“We raise serious concern over the disclosure of personal information which constitutes a direct threat to media workers,”Co stated.
The lawmakers stressed that journalists seeking comment from public officials are exercising their fundamental role in democracy.
“The media were exercising their right and duty to seek balanced reporting,” Tinio explained. “Hindi kasalanan ng media na humingi ng panig ni Rep. Gomez – binibigyan nila siya ng pagkakataong magpaliwanag.”
Co noted the irony of such attacks occurring on Press Freedom Day itself.”It is deeply troubling that on National Press Freedom Day, we witness such blatant disregard for media rights,” Co said.
The Makabayan Bloc also highlighted its commitment to press freedom through legislation.
“Just the other day, we filed the Campus Press Freedom bill to protect student journalists,” Co noted. “Patunay ito ng aming patuloy na pagtatanggol sa kalayaang pang-media sa lahat ng antas.”#
