“Freedom of the press is not just important to democracy, it is democracy.” These words from journalist Walter Cronkite remind us that a free press is not optional to a democracy – it is the very foundation of an open society.
Upholding press freedom is a shared responsibility. When journalists can report the truth without fear, citizens are empowered to make informed choices, hold leaders accountable and participate meaningfully in public life.
This is why we, the Media Freedom Coalition, a network of 51 countries spanning six continents, are committed to protect and uphold media freedom both at home and abroad. This commitment becomes even more crucial in times of elections.
In 2024 and 2025, democratic transfers of power have already taken place or set to occur in over 70 countries globally. In the Philippines, there are congressional, provincial and local elections this May, followed by the first-ever elections for the Bangsamoro Parliament in October.
The right to suffrage ensures that each person is free to choose – who will best represent their ideals, aspirations and hope for their country. For elections to be truly free and democratic, voters must be able to make informed choices based on facts, not fiction or lies.
Disinformation, propaganda and hate speech threaten this process, and they are on the rise. It distorts public perception and undermines trust in institutions. A free and independent press plays a critical role in countering these threats as they are a source of reliable information and enable citizens to make an informed vote.
The explosion of social media and alternative information sources has changed how people access news. While this has allowed for a greater diversity of voices, it has also made it easier for misinformation to spread unchecked and facilitates undue influence on elections, a trend that is evident worldwide.
In this evolving landscape, the role of the press is more important and challenging than ever. Professional journalists serve as democracy’s watchdog, holding authorities accountable through fact-based reporting, uncovering injustices and providing the public with necessary information to demand transparency and change.
However, journalists can only fulfill this role if they can work freely and safely. Free from threats of being red-tagged, from legal warfare, from harassment and from threats on their lives just for doing their job. We find glimmers of hope as it was reported that, in 2024, for the first time in two decades, no Filipino journalist was killed for doing their job. Yet, accountability for past crimes against journalists remains elusive and too many journalists still experience threats and harassment – online and offline.
The fight for truth in the digital age is not the sole responsibility of journalists – it is a shared responsibility among governments, social media platforms, educators and the public.
As members of the Media Freedom Coalition, we stand in solidarity with journalists and media organizations who remain steadfast in their mission to safeguard democracy, especially in the upcoming elections. We trust that the Philippine authorities will continue to take meaningful steps to promote media freedom and protect the spaces in which journalists operate.
Today, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing media freedom, for it is not only important for democracy – it is democracy.
The Heads of Mission of Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom in the Philippines signed the statement.