Philippines

The Philippines ranks 116th out of 180 in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), scoring 49.57—classified as “difficult,” up 18 places from 2024, its highest in 21 years under President Marcos Jr.

Yet violence persists: three journalists killed in 2025 per CPJ, IFJ, and local reports (e.g., Juan “Johnny” Dayang in April, Erwin Labitad Segovia in July, Noel Bellen Samar in October)—often radio broadcasters targeted amid corruption probes, local politics, or crime. This reversed 2024’s zero killings (first in decades per CPJ).

Impunity remains high: nearly 200 journalists murdered since 1986, few convictions. Challenges include red-tagging, threats, harassment, SLAPPs, and self-censorship on sensitive issues. Despite reforms and fewer deaths than past peaks, the country stays among Asia’s deadliest for media outside war zones, eroding independent journalism.