The Philippines has placed 134th out of 180 countries and territories surveyed in the overall 2024 World Press Freedom Index, released on Friday by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) in time for World Press Freedom Day.
“In 2023, two journalists were murdered in the Philippines (134th), which continues to be one of the region’s most dangerous countries for media professionals,” RSF wrote.
The country dropped two spots from its ranking of 132nd in the 2023 index, after losing points across political, economic, legislative, and social indicators.
RSF explained that although the current administration pales in comparison to the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte when it comes to press freedom attacks, the Philippines still needs to be vigilant.
“Since Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr…became president in June 2022, there seem to have been fewer and less violent attacks of this kind, but they are still worrisome,” the media watchdog wrote,
It reported that harassment via threats and “red-tagging” persists, while defamation and cyber-defamation remain punishable by prison sentences.
Meanwhile, RSF said the Asia-Pacific region is witnessing press freedom “under [the] yoke of authoritarian governments.”
“The press freedom situation has worsened in the Asia-Pacific region, where 26 of the 32 countries and territories have seen their scores fall in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index. The region’s dictatorial governments have been tightening their hold over news and information with increasing vigor,” the media watchdog wrote.