The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) called on political aspirants to urge their supporters to respect the role of the media in the May 2022 elections.
The group made the call after a video of political supporters went viral on social media showing that they were jeering at and confronting a media outlet’s crew cab amid a “grand caravan” held in Quezon City on Dec. 8.
In a statement on Dec. 8, it said the incident did not escalate or lead to violence. However, it added that harassment of media workers covering the campaign is “not new.”
The NUJP said attacks on journalists "have historically increased in the periods immediately before and after the polls" even as it observed that elections in the country "can be emotionally-charged."
"Media workers covering political rallies and motorcades do so as part of their jobs. Calls for sobriety and reminders from political leaders that media is not the enemy will help us play our part in ensuring the integrity of the elections and to do our jobs safely.” (Charie Mae F. Abarca)