President Marcos on Monday committed to ensure a free and safe environment for journalists in the Philippines as envisioned under the “Bagong Pilipinas” campaign of the administration.
The President also committed to defend press freedom and to bring justice members of the press who were slain in the line of duty.
“Under the banner of a Bagong Pilipinas, we are steadfast in adhering to our shared mission of advancing the welfare of the Filipinos and nurturing a truly free and safe environment for all journalists,” he said during the 50th anniversary celebration of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP).
“Our national interest is better served by a press that is critical rather than a press that is cooperative,” the President said.
The chief executive is the first Philippine president in nine years to attend the FOCAP forum while his father, former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. started the tradition and was the first Philippine leader to grace it 50 years ago.
“Your first guest for this luncheon was my father, 50 years ago. Five decades later, I stand here, addressing you as the President, to celebrate your golden anniversary and carry on the legacy of this important media tradition,” he said.