A media advocacy group called for an urgent review of safety and health protocols Monday following the death of a photojournalist during the annual Traslacion procession last week.

The Movement for Media Safety Philippines issued the statement after Itoh Son, 55, a photojournalist for Saksi Ngayon, collapsed and died early Friday morning while covering the Feast of the Black Nazarene at the Quirino Grandstand.

It cited that Son had experienced flu-like symptoms before Christmas and was still suffering from a cough and cold when he was deployed for the assignment on 9 January.

“We remind colleagues that our health, safety, and security are a priority when going out on coverage,” the group said. “Self-assessment on our ability to cover safely, as well as establishing when and how to pull out of coverage, is an essential step in planning.”

However, the organization acknowledged that such decisions are often difficult due to newsroom understaffing and the dire economic conditions faced by many media workers.

Photojournalists and reporters for tabloid newspapers are frequently paid on a “per-piece” basis, with rates sometimes as low as P50 to P100, the group said. Consultations with media workers revealed that some are not paid at all or face significant delays in receiving their wages.

“These practices practically force media workers to report for work even when they are not physically, mentally, or emotionally ready,” the group said, adding that such conditions can lead to ethical dilemmas and corruption.

The organization called on media managers and owners to take greater responsibility for the health and safety of their staff, stringers, and contributors.