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Nobel laureate Maria Ressa and Rappler Holdings Corporation (RHC) have been acquitted, Sept. 12, of the remaining tax evasion charges filed against them by the previous administration.
“While colleagues similarly face legal challenges -- from libel to made-up terrorism charges -- in relation to their work, we take inspiration from this acquittal that if we stand up and hold the line, we can win,” NUJP stated.
“We are not taking all these sitting down. As we always say, an attack on one is an attack on all.”
"We are entitled to appeal this decision and will do so, especially since the proceedings were highly irregular."
Rappler CEO and veteran journalist Maria Ressa highlighted the continuing attacks against Filipino journalists as she accepted the Nobel Peace Prize award in Oslo, Norway yesterday, International Human Rights Day.
In a statement, the International Association of Women in Radio and Television - Philippines said this is a vindication for Filipino journalists who have been targeted under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
“We implore the Canadian government to take action on these concerns with urgency, as our country further descends into an authoritarian state."
In the Philippines, journalists are being attacked while perpetrators of extrajudicial killings go free, laments journalist and recently freed political detainee Lady Ann Salem.
The recent conviction of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and former reporter-researcher Reynaldo Santos Jr. brought to the fore cyber libel as a weapon against journalists.
The issue here goes beyond Rappler as other dominant and alternative news media organizations are also under attack. Ressa only becomes a convenient target because of her high profile. That's what she has in common with ABS-CBN which is a leading network. The chilling effect becomes clear by targeting both of them.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said the trial was "a test run for the latest weapon the State can now wield to intimidate and silence not only the media but all citizens who call out government abuse."
A day before the International Women's Day, Bulatlat is featuring four Filipino women journalists who have been subjected to attacks for using her voice and pen to call out those in power as well as how they stood and remained steadfast in their cause for press freedom.
MANILA -- On Feb. 14, youth and students together with media practitioners trooped to the College of Mass Communication in University of the Philippines in Diliman denouncing the recent attack against press freedom. This is after the arrest of Rappler chief...
MANILA — Journalists have vowed to continue their work amid Duterte administration’s relentless attacks on press freedom during an event organized by media and arts alliance LODI (Let’s Organize for Democracy and Integrity), Dec. 6. Dubbed Sikato! Sigaw para sa...
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