On May 2, a day before World Press Freedom Day, journalist and allied organizations gathered at the University of the Philippines (UP)-Diliman College of Media and Communication to continue fighting and calling for a free media and press. With the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) and the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), the groups held a forum and a picket protest on campus.

During the picket, they lit candles and remembered fellow journalists who died while performing their journalistic duties. They also called for justice for the numerous cases of attacks and violations of press freedom.

Under the Marcos regime, the NUJP recorded 177 cases of press freedom violations. The most recent of these cases was the killing of veteran journalist Johnny Dayang in Kalibo, Aklan on April 29. Another prominent case, according to the NUJP, is the continued detention by the regime of community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio.

Cumpio is a journalist for Eastern Vista, an alternative media outlet in the Eastern Visayas region. She was arrested along with Marielle “Maye” Domequil of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, Alexander Philip Abinguna, Mira Legion, and Marissa Cabaljao in a police raid on their office on February 7, 2020. They were charged with illegal possession of firearms.

After more than a year, they were also charged with “financing terrorism.” The state claims that the funds seized from them were allegedly for the operations of the New People’s Army, which it insists on labeling as a “terrorist organization.”

Cumpio’s case was named by the One Free Press Coalition as one of the 10 most urgent cases related to press freedom worldwide.

In the 2025 World Press Index by Reporters Without Borders, the Philippines ranked 116th out of 180 countries. This ranking is higher than the country’s previous 134th position; however, the study emphasized that this is due to a general decline in press freedom worldwide. “On the ground, this does not mean better conditions for ordinary media workers,” the NUJP stated.

Attacks against campus journalists have also been relentless. CEGP data shows 206 cases of press freedom violations against campus publications in the past year alone. These include censorship, withdrawal of funding, surveillance, and state forces’ terror tagging of journalists. CEGP is also currently reviewing 30 reported cases.

According to the group, despite these threats, campus journalists remain steadfast. They said that through collective effort, they have overturned abusive policies, held abusive administrators accountable, and defended their rights as a key actors within academic institutions.

Campus journalists led activities in Naga City and Bulacan on May 3 in commemoration of World Press Freedom Day.

The CEGP also called for more active vigilance and defense of journalists’ rights amid the upcoming election day on May 12. “As the elections approach, amid intensifying attacks, we need to be more vigilant and united for the welfare of every Filipino,” CEGP national spokesperson Brell Lacerna said.