A “first of its kind” media freedom mission has seen embassies of MFC member countries working with with leading press freedom organisations to put the spotlight on the safety of journalists in the Philippines.
The one-week mission in June 2025 was described as “a landmark mission that underscored the importance of in-country engagement and collaboration” by CPJ’s Asia-Pacific Director Beh Lih Yi.
The mission involved figures from the MFC’s Consultative Network – a group of press freedom and media development organisations from around the world – visiting the Philippines for one week and working with embassies on a series of meetings and engagements.
“There was nothing more powerful than being present on the ground, hearing first hand from journalists, or families of those who have been jailed or murdered because of their journalism,” stated Beh Lih Yi. “The opportunities to engage with the government directly to advocate for media freedom together have led to immediate impacts and results following the mission.”
In one early outcome from the mission, the Deputy Ambassador of the Embassy of the Netherlands to the Philippines, Robert van der Hum, was able to visit detained journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio during the following week. Ms. Cumpio, 26, is currently the only detained journalist in the Philippines, and has been in pre-trial detention for more than 5 years alongside Marielle Domequil and Alexander Abinguna.
In a post highlighting the visit, the Embassy of the Netherlands noted that multiple embassies are following this and other cases, including the embassies of Germany, Canada, the UK, Norway, and France, as well as the EU Delegation.
Collaboration is a cornerstone of the MFC’s approach, and this mission was the first time a group of media freedom organisations had coordinated with MFC member countries in this way. The organisations from the Consultative Network taking part were the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Free Press Unlimited (FPU), and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
The visit featured high-level meetings with the government of the Philippines, including with the Department of Justice and the Presidential Task Force on Media Security. These discussions focussed on raising cases of concern and exploring avenues for constructive collaboration to combat impunity and secure justice for journalists.
“Your commitment and collaboration are invaluable in our joint efforts to uphold and protect press freedom,” stated the Presidential Task Force on Media Security after the meeting.
There were also meetings with various media organizations, journalist groups and press freedom advocates, who shared information on the various issues Filipino journalists are facing today, from harassment to economic concerns.
One meeting involved the family of Gerry Ortega, a journalist who was murdered in 2011. After 14 years, his family is still pursuing justice for the crime. Afterwards Dr Patty Ortega, the widow of Gerry Ortega, thanked MFC stakeholders for their ongoing support in the pursuit of justice: “The presence of the MFC is a powerful reminder that solidarity knows no borders, especially in the defence of press freedom, justice, and democracy.”
Following the conclusion of the mission, CPJ’s Beh Lih Yi stressed that “a sustained and systematic collaboration between the MFC member states and civil society groups is key to ensure success. Such efforts require investment, resources and persistent engagement to advocate effectively. “
A representative of the embassy network in the Philippines highlighted the importance of these collaborations, saying: “Cooperation with civil society has greatly complemented our efforts by providing ground-level insights and alternative viewpoints. Civil society organizations are often more attuned to emerging issues that may not be immediately visible embassies, making them invaluable partners.”
They added that the collaboration “created a shared space for dialogue, making it easier to align on concerns and priorities. Through this collaboration, we’ve also identified practical ways to extend our cooperation in order to support and strengthen media freedom here in the Philippines. Moving forward, we could institutionalize this collaboration through regular consultations and joint initiatives. Next steps could include co-hosted events, capacity-building efforts for journalists and civil society actors, and continued dialogue with government representatives to push for tangible reforms.”
Beh Lih Yi concluded that this mission “embodies the spirit of the MFC – that press freedom is an integral part of democracy, human rights, global security and prosperity.”
