VF tied up German Embassy, GMR for updates on PH media ownership
By Cynthia Montojo
"This is much-needed update… Philippine media landscape has vastly changed in past seven years, most impactful was shutdown of country's No. 1 television network, ABS-CBN in 2020," VERA Files (VF)president Ellen Tordesillas said VF is partnering with Berlin-based Global Media Registry (GMR), with support from German Embassy Manila, to update Philippine Media Ownership Monitor (MOM-PH) database compiled in 2016.
MOM is international effort spearheaded by non-profit media organizations to promote transparency and accountability in media ownership. Initiative seeks to advance media literacy among audiences through publicly available and constantly updated database of media owners.
Seven years ago, VERA Files and Reporters Without Borders-Germany conducted study on media ownership in the country showed Philippine media continue to be owned by and depend on economic and political elite, which limits media's independence and affects quality of information public gets.
GMR chief executive officer Olaf Steenfadt said: "in times of increasing geopolitical rivalry, media sector is becoming battleground of influence and power, more than ever. Transparency in this field is not end in itself, but prerequisite for building and sustaining healthy public information space."
German Embassy Manila first secretary for political affairs Alexander Schmidt explained support it is giving to MOM-PH: "Media freedom is cornerstone of flourishing democracy..we are happy to be able to fund update of Philippine Media Ownership Monitor, which enables general public to gain deeper understanding into media landscape of Philippines today."
MOM-PH proceeds from premise mass media influence way public make decisions on matters affect their daily lives and country. It is,therefore, important public know who owns and controls media.
Updating of MOM-PH is expected to be completed in December and will be published on VERA Files and GMR websites.
VERA Files is nonprofit media organization founded by veteran journalists committed to advance excellence in journalism by engaging in research-intensive, high-impact reports in multiple formats, fact checking and providing training and mentorship to journalists.
GMR is non-profit social enterprise based in Germany promotes transparency, accountability and diversity in information space. It provides services, analysis and solutions for newsrooms, regulators and policy makers, and for all stakeholders that engage with media industry. As one of its flagship programs, GMR publishes Media Ownership Monitor in more than 20 countries.
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