Media Workers Welfare Act

Office af the corretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session AUG -4 P1:27 SENATE RECEIVED 9Y S. No. 807 Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT PROVIDING ENHANCED PROTECTION, SECURITY, AND BENEFITS FOR MEDIA WORKERS EXPLANATORY NOTE As of July 2025, thirty-nine (39) journalists and media staff have already been killed worldwide', underscoring the perilous environment in which they operate. Aside from the tragic killings, Filipino media workers endure persistent intimidation, harassment, cyber-attacks, cyber-libel suits, death threats and unlawful arrests; although the Committee to Protect Journalists reported zero work-related journalist deaths in 2024- signaling a reduction in fatalities-the absence of killings alone obscures the ongoing erosion of press freedom, as the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility emphasizes that true media freedom must be measured by the full spectrum of non-lethal threats and systemic constraints confronting journalists today.? The 2019 South East Asia Media Freedom Report characterizes the country's media freedom as "seriously declining" with a safety rating deemed "poor or worsening," affirming that the Philippines remains one of the most dangerous places to practice journalism, having been dubbed the "most murderous" for journalists in 2005, with a total of 186 media workers slain since the restoration of the country's democracy.3 1 International Federation of Journalists. (2025, July 17). Journalists & media staff killed in 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025, from https://www.ifj.org/. 2 Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility. (2025, May 3). The state of media freedom in the Philippines 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025, from https://cmfr-phil.org/press-freedom-protection/press- freedom/the-state-of-media-freedom-in-the-philippines/https://cmfr-phil.org/press-freedom- protection/press-freedom/the-state-of-media-freedom-in-the-philippines/. 3 International Federation of Journalists on behalf of South East Asia Journalist Unions. (2019). Holding

A March 2021 survey by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines found that 44% of over 200 respondents earned P15,000 or less per month, and 15% earned P5,000 or below-far beneath even the lowest regional minimums. Seven (7) in ten (10) media workers reported needing side "rakets" or small businesses just to make ends meet. This demonstrates that, in practice, many media practitioners receive compensation below statutory minima, underscoring the necessity to close a long- standing gap in media employment. The Media Workers' Welfare Act is a legislative measure aimed at addressing the unique challenges faced by media professionals. It seeks to ensure fair compensation, social insurance, and protections against hazards, both physical and digital. This bill seeks to transform what has often been "newsroom culture" into enforceable rights, affording journalists the same baseline protections as other workers. This bill seeks to expand the government's existing protection mechanisms for media workers, who serve as frontline responders to every critical event and emergency across the archipelago, whether natural disasters, armed conflicts, industrial accidents, or pandemics. As true "information heroes," journalists and media staff willingly brave hazardous environments, health risks, and even active hostilities, ensuring that Filipinos receive timely, accurate reporting; without their courage and dedication, communities would be left in the dark at moments when reliable information is most vital. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. LOREN LEGARDA the line: South East Asia media freedom report 2019. Asia-Pacific Regional Office of the International Federation Journalists. Retrieved https://data.laos.opendevelopmentmekong.net/library_record/holding-the-line-south-east-asia-media- freedom-report-2019. * National Union of Journalists of the Philippines. (2025). NUJP's comments on proposals for a Media Workers' Welfare Act. Retrieved July 18, 2025, from https://nujp.org/nujps-comments-on-proposals-for-a-media-workers-welfare-act/?utm_source=.

Senate Olite of the cortate TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session ) AUG -4 P1:27 SENATE RECEIVED BY S. No._ Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT PROVIDING ENHANCED PROTECTION, SECURITY, AND BENEFITS FOR MEDIA WORKERS Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Media Workers' Welfare

2 Act."

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote and

4 improve the social and economic well-being of media workers, including their living 5 and working conditions. Towards this end, the State shall provide the necessary 6 support to ensure that media workers are protected, secured, and well-compensated.

Sec. 3. Objectives. - This Act shall have the following objectives:

a) Ensure that media workers shall, at the minimum, be paid the wages, allowances, and benefits provided by law to workers; b) Motivate and encourage media workers to be truthful and responsible sharers of information; and c) c) Promote an atmosphere that is conducive to productive, free, and fruitful media work.

Sec. 4. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all media workers and media entities

in the private sector.

Sec. 5. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:

a) Blocktimer refers to one who buys airtime from radio and television franchise holders;

b) Media entities refer to persons or organizations, including media networks and operators that actively gather information of potential interest to a segment of the public, turn collected information into a distinct work or distribute that work to an audience within the Philippines; and c) Media workers refer to those who are legitimately engaged in news media practice, directly or indirectly, including those online or digital- only journalists and their supporting staff, whether as a principal occupation or not.

Sec. 6. Minimum Compensation and Benefits. - Media workers shall not receive

less than the applicable minimum wage rate prescribed by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board and shall be entitled to overtime pay and night shift differentials, as well as other forms of compensation provided by Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended, otherwise known as the "Labor Code of the Philippines", and 15 other related laws and issuances.

Sec. 7. Social Security and Welfare Benefits. - Media workers shall be covered

17 by the Social Security System, the Home Development Mutual Fund or the Pag-IBIG Fund, and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation upon engagement. The payment of monthly contributions shall be jointly shared by the media worker and the employer, when applicable, in accordance with existing rules and regulations. Media workers shall also be entitled to retirement benefits as provided under RA No. 11199, otherwise known as the "Social Security Act of 2018".

Sec. 8. Hazard Pay and Safety Equipment. -

a) Any media worker required to physically report for duty in any of the following hazardous assignments shall receive hazard pay at a rate of Five hundred pesos (P500.00) per day, computed as: Hazard pay = P500 x number of days physically reporting for work b) Hazardous assignments include, but are not limited to: i) Coverage in strife-torn or embattled zones; ii) Deployment to distressed or isolated stations;

ili) Reporting in disease-infested or biohazardous areas; iv) Work in zones under a declared state of calamity or emergency; V) Live coverage of civil disturbances, mass protests or large-scale crowd events; VI) Prolonged night shifts or continuous operations exceeding eight (8) hours; vii) Assignments involving credible threats of violence, kidnapping or cyber-harassment. c) The base amount of the hazard pay of media workers may be increased as decided upon by the News Media Tripartite Council created under

Section 15 of this Act.

d) Employers shall also provide media workers covering events in hazardous assignments with appropriate safety gear and or personal protective equipment, including but not limited to bulletproof vests, helmets, first-aid kits, fire protection jackets, face shields, medical-grade protective equipment, harnesses, safety shoes, and life vests.

Sec. 9. Mandatory Additional Insurance Benefits. - Employers shall provide

additional insurance coverage to media workers as follows: a) Death benefit of Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) for each media worker who shall perish in the line of duty; b) Disability benefit of up to Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) for each media worker who shall suffer total or partial disability, whether permanent or temporary, arising from any injury sustained in the line of duty; and c) Medical insurance benefit for each media worker of up to One hundred thousand pesos (PI00,000.00).

Sec. 10. Security of Tenure. - Media workers shall be deemed as regular

employees after six (6) months from the start of employment, regardless of the nature of their initial employment. However, the said six (6) months period shall be computed cumulatively if a media worker is repeatedly engaged for shorter periods. An employer shall not terminate the services of a media worker except for a just or authorized cause, and with the observance of procedural due process.

Sec. 11. Settlement of Disputes. - All labor-related disputes shall be elevated

2 to the DOLE regional office that has jurisdiction over the workplace.

Sec. 12. Liability of Media Entities. - Media entities shall be responsible for all

4 contents released under their name. Owners of media entities or franchise holders 5 shall be liable for claims arising from gross negligence, malicious acts, and violation of laws in connection with the work of blocktimers and media workers, regardless of the 7 nature of engagement, except when the owners of the media entities or the franchise holders are able to prove that due diligence was exercised or that the fault is 9 attributable solely to the concerned blocktimer or media worker. Any agreement to 10 the contrary shall be void.

Sec. 13. Compliance. - The DOLE shall monitor compliance with the provisions

12 of this Act.

Sec. 14. Administrative Penalties. - Violations of the provisions of this Act shall

14 be subject to applicable penalties provided in Presidential Decree No. 442, as 15 amended, and other related laws and issuances.

Sec. 15. News Media Tripartite Council. - The DOLE shall initiate the creation

of the News Media Tripartite Council which shall serve as a link among various stakeholders, provide a platform where media workers and employers can agree upon mutually beneficial policies that will promote the interests of the media industry, and 20 serve as an avenue to express their aspirations, discuss their programs or settle conflicts. The Council shall promulgate and enforce policies ensuring that all freelance and blocktimer media workers enjoy standardized engagement agreements, detailing scope of work, rates and timely payment schedules, and a dedicated grievance mechanism with expedited resolution procedures. The Council shall establish and operate a centralized Digital Harassment 27 Response Portal ("Portal" through which media workers may securely report online 28 threats, harassment or cyber-attacks, and access assistance in coordination with the 29 National Telecommunications Commission and the PNP-Anti-Cybercrime Group.

Sec. 16. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from

the approval of this Act, the Secretary of Labor and Employment shall, in coordination with media groups, associations, publishers, guilds, and other concerned groups, issue

1 the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 17. Separability Clause. - If any part, section, or provision of this Act is

3 declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected by such declaration shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 18. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules, and

6 regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified 7 accordingly.

Sec. 19. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,