MANILA — The National Press Club of the Philippines (NPC) celebrated a major achievement with the report that no journalists were killed in 2024, marking a significant milestone for the media community.
“This achievement reflects the collective efforts of journalists who continue to defend the truth and protect their ranks from those who oppose it,” said NPC president Leonel Abasola in a news release on Tuesday (18 Feb 2025).
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) issued the report confirming the absence of media killings in the Philippines last year. Abasola acknowledged that reaching this milestone was a result of hard work, but warned that threats to media workers remain, and the challenge lies in maintaining this progress. He also reminded that several past media killings are still unresolved, with perpetrators at large.
Looking ahead to upcoming elections, Abasola urged journalists to uphold high standards and avoid unethical practices that could make them targets in politically charged environments. He also stressed the importance of keeping media professionals separate from political conflicts to protect their safety.
In addition, Abasola highlighted the NPC’s efforts to organize provincial and regional chapters, helping members across the country understand the importance of their work in society. The NPC, one of the oldest and largest journalist organizations in the Philippines, has established chapters in various regions including Albay, Camarines Sur, and Nueva Ecija, among others.
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