Global press freedom, in a “difficult situation” - RSF; Philippines journalists urge gov’t: stop media attacks

By Sonny Fernandez

For the first time in the history of Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans Frontieres),  the media watchdog described the global state of press freedom as in a “difficult situation”, ahead of the celebration of World Press Freedom Day, May 3.

Journalists, campus press, advocates and supporters urge the Marcos Jr administration to end impunity in media attacks on the eve of the World Press Freedom Day celebration.   [Photo courtesy of Bulatlat]

In its World Press Freedom Index 2025 released Friday, it noted that while physical assaults against journalists “are the most visible violations of press freedom, economic pressure is also a major, more insidious problem."

The international media watchdog warned that the economic indicator on the World Press Freedom Index is now at an “unprecedented critical low” and continues to fall in 2025.

RSF further explained that while physical and legal attacks continue to threaten journalists worldwide, "economic pressure" is also weakening press freedom.

“This manifests through problems in ownership concentration, pressure from advertisers and financial backers, and restriction on public aid,” it added.

On the eve of the observance of the UNESCO-initiated World Press Freedom celebration, Philippines, journalists, advocates and supporters staged protests and lit candles calling for a halt to media attacks and the release of fellow journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio imprisoned on trumped-up charges.

In a report by Kodao Productions, the continued detention of Cumpio has been included in the annual “10 Most Urgent List” of press freedom violations in the world by One Free Press Coalition.

The list highlights journalists who are languishing in jails for telling the truth.

The Philippines Press Institute and Media-Citizen Councils in different parts of the country held a nationwide video conference and condemned the killing of Juan Dayang and discussed the impact of Artificial Intelligence on the media industry and press freedom.  [Photo courtesy of PPI]

In separate activities, the Philippines Press Institute together with Media-Citizen Councils across the country, condemned the killing of veteran journalist Juan “Johnny” Dayang on April 29.

While watching a news program in his living room, Dayang was shot three times by a masked man from outside the house.

In a nationwide tele-conference, the groups also discussed the effects of artificial intelligence on press freedom and the industry, and the preparations of news organizations in the run-up to May 12 mid-term polls.

NUJP and partners launched the Media Legal Defense Network to address lawfare and this includes the National Union of People's Lawyers, Ateneo Human Rights Center, Adamson College of Law, Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Service and Movement Against Disinformation. [Photo courtesy of Sonny Fernandez]

Earlier in the day, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) strengthened its capacity to fight lawfare, mis/disinformation and media harassment with the formal launching of the Media Legal Defense Network.

NUJP partnered with the National Union of People’s Lawyers, Ateneo Human Rights Center, Adamson College of Law, Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Service and Movement Against Disinformation towards this end.

On the same day, the Philippines Daily Inquirer announced the merger of its print and online news operations beginning July 1 to strengthen its “financial foundation” and enhance “its ability to deliver news in traditional and digital platforms.

World Press Freedom Day event poster, with Philippine media in front. Macel Ingles, Vice Chair of the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP) and Chief Editor of Pinoy Portal Europe a guest speaker. [Photo courtesy of LoRA]

While the management promised to pay separation benefits to affected personnel, it avoided stating how many workers including reporters will be displaced. 

Online harassment of Filipino journalists remains prevalent with the latest victims being mainstream and regional (Europe-based) media reporters covering the ICC detention of former President Rodrigo Duterte accusing them of spreading false information and patronizing government positions.  

In a statement on the observance of World Press Feedom Day today, May 3, NUJP reported it has documented 177 cases of media freedom violations under the Marcos administration. 

NUJP decried that these threats and attacks "are often met with impunity or lack of prompt response by authorities. 

Last year, at a forum hosted by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines in 2024, Marcos promised to be “steadfast in adhering to our shared mission of advancing the welfare of the Filipinos and nurturing a truly safe and free environment for all journalists.”

Despite the data on the Philippines media condition, press freedom in the country has improved, according to RSF.

The Philippines was rated 49.57, slightly better compared to 43.36 last year.

From 134th rank in 2024, the country jumped to 116th rank out of 180 countries in the 2025 Index placements.

The Index indicated that Europe is the best region for working journalists while China, South Korea and Eritrea at the bottom three out of 180 countries.

DW.com, the online news and media platform of German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle, reported that RFS Managing Director Anja Osterhaus was shocked because “half of the world’s population is now living in countries where the state of press freedom is poor, problematic and highly restricted.”

"The first thing autocrats try to reduce is critical voices, such as the media, so we’re really in a very difficult situation in so many parts of the world,” he exclaimed.

For the ninth consecutive year, Norway topped the global ranking followed by Estonia and the Netherlands.

Meanwhile, Germany dropped to 11th rank from 10th spot last year because of the “increasingly hostile working environment for media professionals in Germany, particularly due to attacks from the far right, the report said.

RSF was also alarmed by the state of press freedom in the United States saying it has “worsened since Trump took office in January.”

Indicating a shift to authoritarian style of governance, RSF pointed out that "his administration has weaponized institutions, cut support for independent media, and sidelined reporters." 

RSF also flagged Israel saying “in Gaza, the Israeli army has destroyed newsrooms, killing nearly 200 journalists and imposed a total blockade on the strip for over 18 months.

Israel dropped 11 notches to the 12th spot and “continues to repress its own news media, according to the Index. 

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