Ayon kay Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar, mahalaga ang papel na ginagampanan ng malayang pamamahayag sa bansa.
“A free and pluralistic press continues to play an important role in the foundation and progress of an informed and empowered society. Without an open and free press, there will be an intellectual vacuum on public information and government programs and services, and there will be no dialogue on societal issues, public grievances, and government policies,” pahayag ni Andanar.
Ayon kay Andanar, malaki ang naitulong ng media sa pagpapaabot ng mensahe sa taong bayan sa kasakuluyang krisis sa pangkalusugan dahil sa COVID-19.
“With the current COVID-19 pandemic, press freedom has allowed for the continued delivery of news and reports to all Filipino households. It has also helped voice out the public’s pulse and serve as an avenue for the government to increase public awareness of its policies and report its activities with complete transparency,” pahaayg ni Andanar.
Tiniyak pa ni Andanar na patuloy na pinagsusumikapan ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na pangalagaan ang kapakanan ng mga kagawad ng media gaya ng Freedom of Information, Presidential Task Force on Media Security at ang expanded Sotto Law, na nangangalaga sa kapakanan ng media workers.
“Let us work together as well, to eradicate biased information, misinformation, disinformation and fake news that continue to damage not only our society, but the trust and the relationship between the government and the people, a relationship that must be maintained in order for our society to function as a whole,” pahayag ni Andanar.
Ipinapanalangin aniya ng Palasyo ang kaligtasan ng mga kagawad ng media lalo na ang mga media workers na nagsisilbing frontliners at nagco-cover sa COVID-19 pandemic.
“With these in mind, we pray for the safety of everyone, especially the journalists and media workers currently reporting from the frontlines despite the pandemic. We salute your heroism, bravery, and your service,” pahayag ni Andanar.