President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. gave a speech on Thursday at the Manila Polo Club in Makati City to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP).
During the event, he assured media practitioners of the state's commitment to protecting their rights and strengthening press freedom.
"This government will remain committed to ensuring transparency and good governance, freedom of expression and of the press, and the protection of media practitioners and their rights in the practice of their profession," said the president.
He emphasized the instrumental role of the media in informing the public, shaping public opinion, and triggering social mobilization and change.
Marcos credited KBP for fully establishing itself as an institution of national significance and an efficient instrument of public service in Philippine society.
"Through the years, your brand of public service has been in its advocacy of promoting independence and freedom of broadcast media, responsibility and enhanced public service in broadcasting, and the advancement of innovation and development of Philippine broadcasting," he added.
Fighting 'fake news'
Marcos also addressed the crucial role of the KBP in ensuring the integrity and credibility of information in the midst of pressing challenges facing society.
"In the face of newer and pressing challenges, it is up to the KBP to bring a measure of stability, a measure of objectivity, to help our people discern what is the real information and what is propaganda," the President said.
He acknowledged the negative effects of the social media age, where misinformation and fake news are rampant.
"One is the challenge of ensuring the integrity and credibility of information. Well, we have — we started with mistaken information, then it became more active, disinformation, and misinformation, and now, out-and-out, fake news," he added.
"These are among the negative effects of technological advancement and the social media age. However, it is something that is to be expected considering how powerful the tool social media has become," Marcos continued.
He encouraged the KBP to continue to adapt and innovate to meet the challenges of the future and maintain its vital role in promoting transparency and credibility in information dissemination.
The President committed to working hard to improve the country's global press freedom rankings and to ensure transparency, good governance, and protection of media practitioners and their rights.
