MANILA, Philippines — Malacaang on Tuesday lambasted the inclusion of President Rodrigo Duterte in a media watchdog’s list of this year’s “press freedom predators,” saying the dishonor was “bereft of merit” and “baseless.”
Duterte was among 37 heads of government in a gallery published by Reporters Without Borders who “crack down massively on press freedom,” and waged a “total war” against independent media.
The Paris-based media watchdog said that Duterte has an “arsenal that he can use to wage ‘total war’ against journalists” since there is “collusion at all levels.”
In response, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque shot down the claims, saying that press freedom is “al…
Keep on reading: Palace balks at ‘press freedom predator’ tag on Duterte by int’l watchdog