THIS may not look good for the country, but the Philippines placed 134th out of 180 countries and territories considered as most dangerous for journalists.
The rating was based on a research called 2024 World Press Freedom Index, released on Friday by the 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,” the 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 seems to have been fewer and less violent attacks of this kind, but they are still worrisome,” the media watchdog noted.
It said harassment through threats and “red-tagging” persists, while defamation and cyber-defamation remained punishable by prison terms.
Meanwhile, the 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 RSF said.