President Ferdinand Marcos marked the 50th anniversary of the Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PAPI) by emphasizing the ongoing fight for press freedom in the digital age.
Mr. Marcos praised PAPI for its five decades of upholding truth and press freedom but warned that new challenges, such as misinformation and cyber threats, demand greater vigilance.
“This fight has evolved beyond the newsroom. It is now in the palm of every hand that scrolls through social media,” he said.
He called on Filipinos to combat disinformation by verifying facts and highlighted government efforts, including the Media and Information Literacy Campaign, to equip the public with tools to navigate the digital landscape.
As the event celebrated PAPI’s golden milestone, Marcos paid tribute to fallen journalists like Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa and Cresenciano Bundoquin, stating that their sacrifices remind them of the dangerous pursuit of truth.
He assured the audience that his administration is committed to protecting journalists and upholding press freedom, calling it a “necessity for an informed and empowered citizenry.”
“Let us keep that light steady, no matter how fierce the storm,” he urged, celebrating PAPI’s legacy and role in shaping the nation’s narrative.
