President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday vowed to continue working “hand-in-hand” with the media to strengthen press freedom, assuring media practitioners of the state’s continued commitment to protecting them and their rights in the practice of their profession.

The President made this remark during his attendance at the 50th anniversary of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) at the Manila Polo Club in Makati City.

“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,” Marcos said.

With the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day, the President also committed to “work hard” to “climb our way up” in the global press freedom rankings.

In his speech, the President cited the media’s “instrumental role” in informing the citizenry, shaping public opinion, and “even triggering social mobilization and change.”

The chief executive then urged the press to “lead and foster public discussion, truth and credibility, the rule of law, especially in the practice of broadcasting, news reporting and information-dissemination.”

Marcos also credited KBP for fully establishing itself as an “institution of national significance” and for being 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 said.

The KBP, according to the President, has “maintained its social relevance, acting as a uniting and balancing force of broadcast organizations.”

“Throughout the years, the KBP has remained a visible, active, and fair advocate of both rights and obligations of its members and of all industry players. You have advocated for freedom, independence, capacity-building within the industry,” the President added. (PNA)