THE Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS) noted on Sunday the Philippines continued improvement in its ranking in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index as announced by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
In its statement commemorating World Press Freedom Day, the PTFOMS said that the country is now ranked 114th out of 180 nations. This is a two-spot jump from last year’s 116th position, the highest ranking in 21 years.
“This progress reflects our dedication to creating an environment where journalism can flourish,” Undersecretary Jose Torres Jr., PTFOMS executive director, said.
“While we celebrate this positive development, we recognize that challenges to press freedom persist. We are committed to addressing these issues as we strive to foster a supportive framework for journalism across the country,” he added.
Despite a global decline in press freedom, where over 52 percent of assessed countries are categorized as “difficult” or “very serious” for journalism, “the Philippines has made significant strides,” the PTFOMS said.
This year’s improved RSF ranking signifies an evolving media landscape where efforts are being made to protect journalistic integrity and freedom.
However, the RSF pointed out that despite the higher ranking, the Philippines remains to be “one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists.” It noted that at the regional level, many journalists are also the target of threats and lawsuits, while women journalists are subjected to specific gender-based threats, such as threats of rape, cyber-harassment, and disclosure of personal details and others.
The task force, created in 2016 to serve as a mechanism to address the various threats and acts of violence against Filipino media practitioners, committed to address these issues and push for improved legal framework for media workers.
This includes protection from “red-tagging,” alleged targeting of independent media outlets, and the misuse of defamation laws and to safeguard against unfounded charges that undermine honest reporting.
“We also recognize the urgent need to combat the rising tide of disinformation fueled by political polarization in our country. Through collaborative efforts, we aim to empower our media institutions to promote factual reporting and educate the public on media literacy,” Torres said.
“As we mark World Press Freedom Day, we remain steadfast in our mission to protect and enhance the freedom of the press. The progress reflected in our World Press Freedom Index ranking signifies our collective dedication to maintaining a vibrant and free press in the Philippines. We invite all stakeholders to join us in building a media landscape that champions freedom of expression while promoting truth and integrity,” Torres added.
