F REPRESEN.

Ranisicor nw Pid fey° E-Filed
’epublic of the Philippines
HousE oF Representatives [ig RECEIVED <)
Quezon City Xl DATE September 27, 102 14)
19" CONGRESS

First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _ 5196

Introduced by. REP. JUAN CARLOS “ARJO” ATAYDE

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR MANDATORY INSURANCE COVERAGE AND BENEFITS AND
HAZARD PAY FOR JOURNALISTS, EMPLOYEES OF MEDIA ENTITIES ON
FIELD ASSIGNMENTS AND FREELANCE JOURNALISTS, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

The Constitution, Art. Ill, Sec. 4 provides: that “No law shall be passed abridging
the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people
peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.”

Free press is paramount to our country’s democracy. Our people are only as
strong as their access to correct and timely information necessary to participate in
national conversations.

For one, it plays a crucial role in informing citizens about public affairs as well
as monitoring the actions of public officials at all levels of government. On the other
hand, the free press can also serve as a conduit by the citizens to voice their concerns
and express criticisms when government officials fail to meet the standards expected
of them by the public. Thus, the free press acts as a bridge connecting the government
and its citizens and is a crucial institution that is essential to maintaining a robust and
vibrant democracy.

However, many unscrupulous politicians likewise view our press as a means of
propaganda to promote their corrupt agenda. As such, our press has been subjected
to continuous attacks and threats if they refuse to present inaccurate narratives that is
pushed to them by these malevolent persons.


Along with this, our press also put thei ives on the line to report on calamities,
man-made or naturally occurring. All of these they do in service of our democracy.

'fwe are to protect our democracy, we need to signify our support for our press
and promote measures that give them assurances that their courage and sacrifice are
not unappreciated

This bill seeks to defend and uphold press freedom by promoting the safety and
well-being of journalists, specifically, by mandating the provision of additional
insurance benefits for journalists, employees of media entities on field assignments,
and freelance journalists, in the form of disability, health, and hospitalization benefits.

In View of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is eamestly
sought.

REP. JUAN CARLOS “ARJO” ATAYDE


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

19" CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _5196

Introduced by. REP. JUAN CARLOS “ARJO” ATAYDE

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR MANDATORY INSURANCE COVERAGE AND BENEFITS AND
HAZARD PAY FOR JOURNALISTS, EMPLOYEES OF MEDIA ENTITIES ON
FIELD ASSIGNMENTS AND FREELANCE JOURNALISTS, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Journalists Protection
Act of 2022".

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the invaluable role of the
free press in the protection and promotion of democracy, good citizenship, civic-
mindedness, and good governance. Towards this end, the State shall provide the
necessary support to ensure that the journalists are properly compensated and
insured as they practice their profession

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall

mean:

(@) Editorial and/or News Department — refers to editors-in-chief, news editors,
columnists, deskmen, reporters, correspondents, and photographers in the
case of the print media; and news editors, _newscasters,


1 commentators/announcers, field reporters, field correspondents, and
2 cameramen in the case of the broadcast media.

(©) Freelance Joumalist - one who pursues journalism and writes for any
4 Publication without being regularly employed by such publication, television
or radio, wire, wireless broadcasting, and online services

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6 (6) Front-line media persons — specifically refers to those directly involved in
7 data-gathering from the field, and news reporting whether in print on
8 television or on radio, such as, but not limited to, print reporters,
9 cameramen, photojournalists, radio reporter and television reporters.
10 (d) Journalism — the gathering, writing, editing, processing and dissemination
" of news and production or publishing of newspapers and other such
12 Publications such as magazines and pamphlets and other processes
13 through wire, wireless, broadcasting, and online services.
14 (e) Journalist - shall mean any member of the Editorial and/or News
15 Department including frontline media persons.
16 (f) Media entities — refers to all companies in the print and broadcast media
17 (radio, television, and newspapers) that are involved in the dissemination of
18 news and information for public consumption and are duly accredited by and
19 duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and
20 by any reputable association of media persons such as but not limited to,
2 the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Philippine Press Institute (PPI),
22 Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP),
23 Photojournalists’ Center of the Philippines (PCP), People’s Altemative
24 Media Network (Altermidya), National Press Club (NPC), National Union of
25 Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) and Kapisanan ng mga Broadcaster
26 1g Pilipinas (KBP).
27 Sec. 4. Coverage. — This Act shall apply to all permanent, temporary,
28 contractual, and casual journalists employed or engaged to work by all existing media

29 entities in the Philippines, as well as freelance journalists plying their trade in war-torn,
30 — disease-stricken, or otherwise perilous areas.


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Sec, 5. Mandatory Additional insurance Benefits for Joumalists, and
Employees of Media Entities on Field Assignments. - In addition to the present
Insurance benefits provided to journalists and employees of media entities on field
assignments by the Social Security System (SSS) as mandated under R.A. No. 8282,
otherwise known as the Social Security Law, and by the Government Service
Insurance System (GSIS) under R.A. No. 8291, there shall be an additional insurance
Coverage to be provided by media entities to journalists and their employees on field
assignments and front-line media persons which shall give the following minimum
benefits:

(1) Disability Benefits of Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos
(P350,000.00) for all mass media practitioners who shall suffer total
or partial disability, whether permanent or temporary, as a result of
any injury sustained during performance of duty;

(2) Death benefits amounting to Three Hundred Thousand Pesos
(300,000.00) for all mass media practitioners and employees on
field assignment who shall perish in the line of duty; and

(3) Reimbursement of actual medical costs up to Two Hundred
Thousand Pesos (P200,000.00) for all mass media practitioners and
employees on field assignments who shall be hospitalized or who
shall require medical assistance for injuries sustained while in the
performance of duty.

The media entity shall have the option of selecting the insurance company and
Shall be responsible for paying the insurance premiums for their journalists and
employees.

Sec. 6. Insurance for Freelance Journalists. - The SSS and GSIS shall create
a special insurance program for freelance journalists that shall include, among others,
@ coverage of risks incurred while working in war zones, conflict-stricken areas, and
calamity-affected places.

Sec. 7. Grant of Hazard Pay. ~ All qualified journalists, employees of media
entities on field assignments and freelance journalists deployed in calamity-affected

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Places, strife-torn or embattled areas, distressed or isolated stations, prison camps,
mental hospitals, radiation-exposed Clinics, laboratories or disease-infested areas or
in areas declared under state of calamity or emergency for the duration thereof which
&xpose them to great danger, contagion, radiation, volcanic activty/eruption,
occupational risks or peris to life shall be compensated with hazard pay equivalent to
at least twenty-five percent (25%) of their gross monthly basic salary for the duration
of such deployment.

Sec. 8. Tax Exemption and Non-Diminution of Benefits. — Hazard pay for
Journalists, employees of media entities on field assignments and freelance journalists
Shall not be subject to tax and nothing in this Act shall be construed as to diminish, in
any manner, any benefit granted by existing laws, rules and regulations and other
issuances especially favorable to said journalists and employees of media entities.

Sec. 9. Prohibited Acts. - The following acts shall be prohibited:

(@) Refusal or failure by a media entity to provide additional insurance coverage
referred to in Section 5 of this Act;

(b) Refusal or failure by a media entity to provide hazard pay referred to in
Section 7 of this Act;

(0) Refusal by an insurance company to enroll journalists, employees of mass
media entities on field assignment and freelance journalists on account of
the nature of their work; and

(d) Non-compliance with the rules and regulations that the GSIS, SSS, and PIA
shall adopt for the implementation of this Act.

Sec. 10. Penal Provisions. - Any person who shall wilfully commit any of the
Prohibited acts enumerated under this Act shall, upon conviction, be punished by a
fine not less than Three Hundred Thousand Pesos (P300,000.00) but not more than
Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than one
(1) year but not more than six (6) years or both depending upon the discretion of the
court.


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Provided, that if the offender is a Public official, in addition to the penalties stated

in the preceding paragraph, the penalty of perpetual disqualification from office shal
be imposed.

In the case of associations, Partnerships or corporations, the penalty shall be
imposed on the partner, president, chief operating officer, chief executive officer,
directors or officers responsible for the Violation, and cancellation of registration with
the SEC.

‘Sec. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The GSIS, SSS, PIA, and in
consultation with the NPC, NUJP, KBP and other duly registered media associations,
shall promulgate and issue the rules and regulations necessary to implement the
Provisions of this Act.

Sec. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees,
Presidential proclamations, letters of instructions, rules and regulations or parts thereof
which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

Sec. 13. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or Provisions hereof not affected shall continue
to be in full force and effect.

Sec. 14. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following
its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation in
the Philippines.

Approved