Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia made a positive impression on Irene Khan, the United Nations Special Rapporteur (UNSR) on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, during the latter’s courtesy visit at the Capitol on January 29.
The UNSR was joined by Atty. Jyro Go, chief of staff of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security, the primary coordinating office for the UNSR visit.
Gov. Garcia shared that as a news source, it is not uncommon for her to be portrayed in a bad light by mainstream media on account of a journalist’s misappreciation of facts or an editor’s willful pursuit of sensationalism over factual reporting.
As a remedy, the governor said she established Sugbo News, the official news arm of the Capitol, in order to promote transparency in governance and in order for the public to be made aware of the Capitol’s position on issues and policies that concern them.
“Nakikita naman po natin dito sa Provincial Capitol of Cebu that Gov. Gwen is a very, very influential and truthful person when it comes to pamamahayag as well as yung mga campaigns nya dito sa Cebu,” Atty. Go told Sugbo News after the meeting.
Khan is the first woman to hold the position since the establishment of the mandate in 1993. That is why she was also pleased to note that Gov. Gwen epitomizes an empowered woman in governance, being Cebu’s first and only woman governor who has served the longest at five terms and counting.
Atty. Go said at the end of her state visit, Khan is set to make recommendations and provide suggestions on ways and means to better promote and protect the right to freedom of opinion and expression in all its manifestations, something which shall be received by the government for consideration in policy making. | Babie Jane Revecoy
