Aquino criticized the media, but championed a free press The late President Benigno Aquino III’s civil relationship with the media was in 'stark contrast' to President Rodrigo Duterte’s attacks. It was just one of many differences between the two presidents’ brands of governance and positions on many key policies. BY PHILIPPINE CENTER FOR INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM (PCIJ) June 28, 2021 | 12:00:00 PM
The late President Benigno Aquino III criticized the Philippine media on several occasions during his time in Malacañang, when he felt that he was being criticized unfairly. His episodes now look harmless in comparison to his successor, President Rodrigo Duterte, who ordered, among others, the shutdown of ABS-CBN and the cancelation of Rappler’s license to do business while banning its reporters from covering Malacañang events.