Philippine media watchdog CMFR to cease operations on Sept. 30

The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) on Friday announced that it would cease operations by the end of the month, marking the end of its 37-year journey as a watchdog of Philippine media. In a Facebook post, the CMFR said it was steadfast in its mission for media development amid changing political landscapes since 1989. The closure takes effect September 30, 2026. "Philippine and international funding support has sustained the work of CMFR; but multiple factors have affected the funding environment, making it difficult for CMFR to secure the necessary funds for its operations," the CMFR's post read. The organization extended its gratitude to media practitioners and stakeholders who supported its mission over the decades. "CMFR would like to thank all who have been part of the journey – our past and present staff, the community of journalists and news organizations in the Philippines and abroad, various embassies in Manila, the schools and students, and civil society organizations – who appreciated and understood the value of our work and supported our efforts," CMFR said. "We are truly grateful. Please accept our best wishes," it added. The CMFR is a non-profit organization that serves as an independently funded media watchdog in the country. Its programs and initiatives have long advocated for upholding press freedom, responsible journalism, and journalistic excellence. Cheers and jeers For decades, the CMFR served as a leading advocate for media ethics, a platform for recognizing best practices in the field, and a champion for press freedom protection. The organization dedicated itself to addressing critical media issues, emphasizing the free press as an important pillar of Philippine democracy. "Effective participatory government is possible only when it can count on a well-informed society where individuals freely exchange ideas, and public debate and discussion arise from knowledge and understanding of national affairs," CMFR noted on its website. Journalists would be on the look out—with both curiosity and trepidation—if their work would be mentioned in the regular Cheers and Jeers reports of CMFR. The CMFR developed landmark initiatives for media monitoring, published journalism reviews, established media ethical guidelines, and organized specialized training programs. To safeguard press freedom, the CMFR built a comprehensive database tracking killings of journalists, issued alerts reporting threats and attacks, tracked relevant legislation, and mounted strong advocacy campaigns to end impunity. Recognizing the best In recognition of industry excellence, its flagship programs included the Jaime V. Ongpin Awards for Excellence in Journalism, which honored outstanding investigative and explanatory reporting. It also oversaw the selection of the Marshall McLuhan Fellow and the Sandra Burton Nieman Fellow, which provided prestigious international study grants and lecture tours for exceptional Filipino journalists. CMFR was founded by veteran journalist and media advocate Melinda Quintos de Jesus, its executive director who conceptualized the organization's core program framework. Pioneers Just last July, De Jesus was announced as the 2026 recipient of the Gawad Plaridel award, the University of the Philippines system's sole award recognizing media practitioners who demonstrate integrity, excellence, and dedicated public service. The late Luis V. Teodoro, a veteran journalist, professor, and former dean of the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication, previously served as the CMFR's deputy director. Teodoro edited CMFR's bimonthly media-monitoring publication, PJR Reports, as well as the Philippine Journalism Review, a peer-reviewed journal tailored for academics and senior journalists. — VDV, GMA News