Pangilinan calls for cooperation to eliminate impunity vs media workers

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has called for cooperation to take firm steps in ensuring accountability for violence and attacks against media workers.

Pangilinan issued the statement as the world observes the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists on Friday.

“Together, let’s continue working to eliminate impunity against media professionals,” Pangilinan said in a statement.

“On International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, let’s renew our dedication to promote a free, independent, and responsible media and push for accountability for those who would undermine this pillar of democracy,” he added.

The senator also underscored the importance of media’s role in uncovering abuses in face of threats and intimidation.

“Journalists around the world work at great personal risk to report on issues that affect people’s lives. They bring to the fore abuses, corruption, and inefficiency and in return face threats, harassment, legal cases, and even death,” he said.

“But we cannot imagine a world without journalists. They play an indispensable role in the healthy functioning of our democracy,” he stressed.

Earlier, a 2018 report from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) showed that the Philippines ranked fifth among the countries with the worst records of prosecuting killers of journalists.

From 2011 to 2014, the Philippines ranked 3rd in the list before moving down to 4th in 2015 and 2016. Last year the country moved down to 5th place. /muf

READ: PH still ranks 5th in unsolved killing of journalists