VP NOLI'S STATEMENT ON MEDIA

26 February 2006

While we respect the right and power of the President to protect the people and the State from any destabilizing force, the best interest of the greater number of Filipinos must be borne in mind.
 

Safeguarding the freedom of speech and of the press is primordial to the preservation of our democratic way of life.
 

The President should define and prescribe reasonable terms to guide government agencies acting pursuant to her declaration.
 

As Vice President and as part of media, I reiterate my stand that the government respect human rights and protect civil liberties, especially, freedom of the press.


The role of media is that of serving as a watchdog for exposing social injustice and abuse of power. The government may do justice to media by encouraging self-regulation and not repression. But at the same time, if law enforcers believe that a media entity is committing crime against any person or government, then they must immediately enforce the law.