June 12, 2020 --The Coalition For Women In Journalism continues to follow the attacks on journalist Maria Ressa and her Rappler team; which entails several charges including charges of cyber libel.

The indictment came over a story that Rappler published a report during the impeachment trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona. The charges come under the Cybercrime Prevention Act (2012), despite the legislation not being a law until later in 2012. The Department of Justice (DOJ) resolution cites the multiple publication rule to validate the charges.

Maria Ressa, founder of the resilient media organization Rappler, a digital news outlet that flourished under Facebook also developed what she calls the “Shark Tank”. She runs one of the largest independent databases of Facebook accounts and comments that tracks 15 million accounts found to be disseminating misinformation on social media and are found to control debate not only in the Philippines but globally. 

Ressa created Rappler in 2012 with three other women journalists. The portal was groundbreaking, introducing itself to an industry not yet digitized. Rappler was originally frequented more by a younger audience; however, today the portal is widely consumed across the country. Four months after it was created, the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 was signed into law. It has been heavily criticized for its vague language and loopholes. When it was first enacted, the law was slapped with a restraining order. However, In 2014 the Supreme Court gave it the go ahead with a few minor changes.  

In 2017, Using the law, a lawsuit for libel was filed against Rappler. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) first decided it held no merit, and later retracted their own statement, subsequently, the NBI recommended that the Department of Justice should move against Rappler.

On February 13, 2019, Maria Ressa was taken into custody for cyber libel and released after a bail of P100,000. Her trial began on July 23, 2019. 

We had asked our colleagues and partners in Asia, back in February 2019, how this case was affecting press freedom and the industry. Here is what they had to say: 

“Duterte's blatant attack on Maria Ressa reveals a president who will stop at nothing to silence critics. Duterte remains a popular president -- but to go after a media organization and journalists shows insecurity and an inability to accept criticism in a democracy. The Philippines, like many countries in Southeast Asia, needs credible and diverse media to inform and engage with citizens. In a media landscape that is dominated by big business and political interests, Maria and Rappler provide an important third option. Silencing her and crippling Rappler is not in the best interests of Philippine democracy.”

- Alan Soon, Founder Of Splice Media and member of the Coalition told the CFWIJ.

“Southeast Asia is a region where press freedom is already under attack. Platforms like Rappler and journalists like Maria Ressa are extremely valuable in standing for freedom of expression and information for the people of Southeast Asia, who deserve independent, fearless reporting on issues of critical importance.

Independent media outlets and journalists have to stand together and support one another in the face of crackdowns on the media across Southeast Asia, from Papua to Cambodia to Myanmar and the Philippines.”

- Kirsten Han, Editor In Chief of New Naratif told the CFWIJ.

The penalty for cyber libel is prision correccional in its maximum period to prision mayor in its minimum period, or a fine ranging from P6,000 up to the maximum amount determined by the Court, or both, in addition to the civil action that may be brought by the offended party. Under the cybercrime law, the penalty for online libel is one degree higher compared with print libel.

After a series of hearings and appeals, Ressa was scheduled for a final hearing for April 3, 2020 which was then postponed due to Covid-19.

Maria Ressa will show in the court on June 15, 2020. The case bears many legal and factual errors and inaccuracies, you can look them up here: https://www.rappler.com/nation/263749-verdict-primer-legal-factual-issues-rappler-maria-ressa-cyber-libel-case

We stand with Maria in her fight for press freedom and what she calls the war on truth and to prevent democracies failing not only in her country but also worldwide. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns these charges. “This is a weaponization of the law; an aggressive effort by  #Duterte’s regime to silence the media, to use Maria and Rappler as examples to warn any journalist who wants to do their job freely in the country,” says our founder Kiran Nazish. “The state is blatantly blocking press freedom in the country. Without a free press, there can be no free and democratic country. And that very clearly means, the state is not only going after Maria, but all citizens of the Philippines; including those who demand the truth and those who are unaware of it.”