MARIA RESSA, AND PRESS FREEDOM ON TRIAL IN THE PHILIPPINES
This is an information and campaign page focusing on Maria Ressa, and The Rappler who are under attack in the Philippines. On the right a brief clip with some words by Maria Ressa speaking about the state of censorship in the Philippines. Maria was speaking to our founder Kiran Nazish on the phone in 2019 after being arrested and released on bail.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism has been closely following the attacks on journalist Maria Ressa, and her team at Rappler, which entails several charges including those of cyber libel. The indictment came after an investigative story was published by Rappler during the impeachment trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona. The charges have been placed under the Cybercrime Prevention Act (2012), despite the legislation not being a law until later in 2012. The Department of Justice (DOJ) resolution has cited the multiple publication rule to validate the charges. Maria Ressa, the CEO of 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 to control debate not only within the Philippines but globally.
STATEMENTS
CFWIJ joins 60 organizations to back Maria Ressa’s #HoldTheLine campaign
The Coalition For Women In Journalism joins a 60 organization coalition to campaign for Maria Ressa and press freedom in the Philippines. Read the press release lead by ICFJ, CPJ and RSF and Sign the Petition in the link below.
TIMELINE
RESOURCES
CONCERNED VOICES FROM ACROSS ASIA
We asked our colleagues within the Asian press and media industry to share their views about the constant threats faced by Maria Ressa and Rappler. This is what they have 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. 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
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
TWITTER THREAD
The indictment came over a story that @rapplerdotcom published 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.https://t.co/It83s8tWgc pic.twitter.com/iB7eMo86UW
— #WomenInJournalism (@CFWIJ) June 15, 2020
Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 46 convicted @rapplerdotcom CEO and Executive Editor @mariaressa and former @rapplerdotcom researcher-writer Reynaldo Santos over cyber libel charges in a high-profile verdict handed down on Monday, June 15. pic.twitter.com/J0Gcs1oaEC
— #WomenInJournalism (@CFWIJ) June 15, 2020
CFWIJ founder Kiran Nazish condemned the conviction and said: “@mariaressa is a courageous journalist with one of the sharpest minds in an industry - journalism - that is fiercely under attack, from all sides.” https://t.co/oZjz4jQrCc pic.twitter.com/zNiyjTRUxx
— #WomenInJournalism (@CFWIJ) June 15, 2020
Ressa made a public statement following the conviction which stated: “Freedom of the press is the foundation of every single right you have as a Flipino citizen. If we can’t do our jobs, then your rights will be lost.” https://t.co/u2HnB9cJYT
— #WomenInJournalism (@CFWIJ) June 15, 2020
Earlier today, Amal Clooney - a renowned human rights lawyer, wrote that the verdict was "an affront to the rule of law, a stark warning to the press, and a blow to democracy in the Philippines." She said that @mariaressa would pursue an appeal. https://t.co/oZjz4jQrCc pic.twitter.com/potTNxb1xZ
— #WomenInJournalism (@CFWIJ) June 15, 2020
We urge the Philippines government to conduct itself with integrity, transparency and accountability, and stop weaponizing laws to silence independent press. Freedom of speech must be respected. #DefendPressFreedom #IStandWithMariaRessa #HoldTheLine pic.twitter.com/UtiQ5sPWyz
— #WomenInJournalism (@CFWIJ) June 15, 2020
