MAKABAYAN senatorial candidate Teddy Casiño hailed media practitioners for their crucial role in Philippine democracy, adding that the best way to show gratitude to the press is for government to ensure that they have humane working conditions and benefits.
Casiño said he will bring the cause of media practitioners to the Senate, addressing both issues of media killings and labor rights.
“The necessity of a free press in a striving democracy like the Philippines has been clearly demonstrated over the years. Besides delivering up-to-date and informative news every day, the press has been pivotal in exposing corruption, human rights violations and other injustices. During elections, media practitioners serve as both watchdogs and help desks, revealing images of election fraud and bribery, facilitating reports of violence and inefficiency,” said Casiño.
“As the world celebrates press freedom and pay tribute to those killed in the line of duty, government should work with media networks in ensuring that journalists have regular positions and benefits. Congress should also pass The Journalists’ Insurance Act which I filed in 2010. It seeks additional insurance coverage and benefits for media practitioners and their families,” the three-term congressman said.
Casiño said the passage of the bill will ensure that media practitioners, especially those working in conflict areas and covering dangerous assignments, will have additional protection.
The progressive solon explained that this, however, should be pushed together with measures to prevent media killings and prosecute perpetrators.
“Government should ensure that human and labor rights of media workers are protected,” he said, explaining that a regular position, adequate compensation and benefits will also help curb corruption in the industry.
Casiño is a primary author of Republic Act 10380 or the Local Absentee Voting for Media Law and the proposed Campus Press Freedom Day Bill and has called for the investigation of media killings in the country. He served as the president of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines, was a columnist for BusinessWorld, and had a brief stint as reporter for ABS-CBN.