In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has called on the fourth estate to aid in differentiating genuine news from propaganda and become a model of stability and impartiality. He stated that the media industry has been grappling with various issues, such as maintaining the integrity and credibility of information, and the spread of misinformation, disinformation, and “fake news” as negative effects of technological advancements and the social media age.
According to Marcos, the fourth estate stands as “the stalwart partner of our conscientious and peace-loving citizenry, also of our legitimate and equally conscientious government.” He added that the press and broadcast media play a vital role in informing the public, shaping public opinion, and spurring social mobilization and change.
The KBP, a non-profit organization established on April 27, 1973, advocates for professional and ethical standards that promote responsible and free broadcast media, as well as maintaining a relevant role for its members in society when it comes to press freedom.
Marcos urged the KBP to continue its important work with the people and the government, addressing and resolving the issues and challenges faced by the industry. He also promised that the government would collaborate with the press to improve the Philippines’ ranking in the World Press Freedom Index, where the country currently ranks 147th.
Furthermore, the President stressed that the government is dedicated to ensuring transparency and good governance, freedom of expression and of the press, and the protection of media practitioners and their rights in the practice of their profession.
As social media continues to wield significant power, Marcos believes that the media industry needs to bring a measure of stability and objectivity to help people differentiate between real information and propaganda. He noted that the media plays a critical role in promoting truth and credibility, the rule of law, and public discussion.
