It is timely to enact the proposal aimed at protecting journalists in the country, therefore the immediate enactment of the Media Workers Welfare Act is being promoted.
This is what the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) asserted following the passage of the third and final reading of House Bill (HB) No. 454 or Media Workers Welfare Act.
Under the said bill, journalists will be regularized at work immediately or after six months.
The media should also be given proper wages and benefits including medical insurance and death benefits.
It is also expected that this will result in strengthening press freedom, democracy and human rights in the country.
According to the CHR, they recognize the important role of the media, especially the spread of false information and fake news left and right.
The commission also hopes that the government and the media will have a dialogue to find out and meet the challenges faced by journalists. (VICTOR BALDEMOR)
