The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has urged Filipino journalists to adopt a human rights-based approach to reporting, emphasizing their crucial role in shaping public discourse and safeguarding press freedom.
“As truth-tellers and storytellers, journalists carry the immense responsibility of shaping public discourse,” said CHR Chairperson Richard Paat Palpal-latoc.
“By embracing the human rights-based approach to reporting, we not only safeguard press freedom, but also affirm the media’s vital role in advancing justice, dignity, and the common good.” he furthered.
To reinforce ethical journalism, the CHR launched its first-ever training on the Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) to Reporting on March 31, 2025, at Luxent Hotel in Quezon City.
The training aims to equip journalists with the skills to integrate human rights principles into news writing, investigative reporting, and digital content creation.
Moreover, the training also underscored the importance of fact-checking, responsible storytelling, and reporting that upholds truth and accountability.
“Given the complex challenges facing the media sector, particularly in the digital age, it is crucial to reinforce journalists’ skills in fact-checking, responsible reporting, and human rights-based storytelling,” the CHR said in a statement, emphasizing the need to uphold truth, accountability, and ethical standards in journalism.
The CHR reiterated its commitment to fostering ethical journalism and strengthening the media’s role in upholding democracy and human rights.
“Through sustained partnerships with the media, we aim to strengthen public trust and reinforce the media’s role as a pillar of democracy and human rights advocacy,” the commission said.
The initiative builds on the 2023 National Media Forum, which highlighted the challenges faced by journalists, and aligns with the Philippine Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists (PPASJ).
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