THE National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) strongly condemned Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio’s recent criticisms of the local media on Saturday, describing her remarks as tactics taken straight from a “dictator’s playbook.”
The union issued the statement in response to Duterte’s claim during a July 30 interview in The Hague, Netherlands, that Philippine journalism falls short of international standards and prioritizes profit over truth. She further suggested social media as a more reliable source of information, claiming it allows the public to hear directly from those involved.
The NUJP firmly disputed Duterte’s assertions, pointing out that Filipino journalists have long earned international recognition and awards for excellence—evidence that directly contradicts her assessment of the profession.
The union also rejected her endorsement of social media, noting that algorithms on such platforms tend to amplify misinformation and spread falsehoods far faster than verified facts. It went further to observe that the Vice President’s own political camp has been linked to coordinated disinformation campaigns online designed to smear critics and institutions.
Rather than attacking the press, the NUJP advised Duterte to focus on the serious issues currently facing her, including the impeachment proceedings before the Senate.
The group emphasized that her repeated attacks on the media are “unbecoming of a high official” and reveal what it described as “authoritarian tendencies and contempt for freedom and democracy.” The statement underscored that a free, independent press is vital to the nation, and that criticism of the media should be grounded in facts rather than used to deflect public scrutiny.
metrosundaily
