The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines stands in solidarity with our colleagues in the Defense Press Corps and all the Filipino journalists covering Philippine-China relations and the West Philippine Sea.

We join our colleagues and the wider media community in taking exception to the Chinese Embassy’s remarks questioning Filipino reporters’ understanding of facts.

We remind the Embassy to respect the rigor, professionalism, and ethical standards with which Filipino journalists carry out their work.

Filipino journalists covering issues involving China are tasked with providing context and scrutinizing claims to help the public understand matters of national interest. Our work is not about creating hype but about informing the public through accurate and independent reporting. While reporting can be subject to scrutiny, this should be grounded in facts and a fair assessment of our work, not sweeping judgments about journalists’ competence or intentions.

Our colleagues in the Defense Press Corps have demonstrated a commitment to truth and fairness in their coverage of these issues. Constructive engagement with the press requires respect for its role in keeping the public informed, even when its reporting is uncomfortable or unwelcome.

Do not shoot the messenger.

Reference:
National Directorate
secretariat@nujp.org