MANILA – The country’s ranking in the World Press Freedom index dropped to 138 from 136 last year based on the list by Reporters Without Borders.
In its report, it said the Philippines is one of the countries where press freedom is bad or very bad. It also stressed that at least 10 countries used the health pandemic to reinforce obstacles to the free flow of information.
However, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the country’s current rank is better than the previous administration.
“Two positions lower…wala masyadong ibig sabihin ‘yan,” Roque said Thursday. “Although ito ang pinakamababang ranking natin, equivalent ito sa pinakamataas na ranking nung kay President [Benigno] Noynoy Aquino.”
According to him, the closure order to Rappler and the shutting down of ABS-CBN have nothing to do with press freedom.
He also said President Rodrigo Duterte respects press freedom and does not have a history of harassing or red-tagging media in his many years as a politician.
“Ang mensahe lang sa media, maraming maanghang na sinasabi laban kay Presidente at minsan sasagot siya maanghang din. In the same way na di natin inaasahang balat-sibuyas ang Presidente, wag din balat-sibuyas ang media pag sumagot siya,” said Roque.
