On World Press Freedom Day

MAY 3, 2026

On this World Press Freedom Day, we stand in solidarity with the women and men who have turned the pursuit of truth into a lifelong mission, often at the highest personal cost. For those of us in the media, this day is a reminder that our work is never for ourselves—it is a service to the people.

We continue to demand the immediate release of Frenchie Mae Cumpio. Her ongoing incarceration and the recent January verdict are not just an attack on one journalist; they are an attempt to paralyze the community press. A survivor of storms and a witness to history, Frenchie Mae belongs in the newsroom, not a prison cell. We call on the Philippine government to end this judicial harassment and recognize that journalism is not a crime.

This year, our hearts are heavy as we remember two brilliant lights who were gone too soon. We honor their legacies by continuing the work they started.

• RJ Ledesma: A community journalist and regional coordinator for Altermidya, RJ was killed just last month in Negros Occidental. RJ was a champion of the rural poor, choosing to immerse rather than just cover. Through work with the alternative press, RJ lived alongside farmers and laborers, documenting the impacts of so-called development projects on their lands.

• Dempsey Reyes: We also mourn the passing of Philippine Daily Inquirer reporter Dempsey Reyes, who left us on April 26. At only 29, his colleagues see Dempsey as a “bright light” in the newsroom and had an instinct for the truth that cut through the noise.  

We, the women in media, remain undeterred. We fight for press freedom because it is the bedrock of a just society.

Reference:

Executive Board

International Association of Women in Radio and Television – Philippines

For queries:

Janess Ellao

09157971838