High-profile journalist Maria Ressa has been found guilty of libel in the Philippines’ in a case seen as a test of the country’s media freedom. The former CNN journalist is the head of a news site that’s critical of strongman President Rodrigo Duterte. A writer for the site, Rappler, was also convicted. Both have been released on bail pending appeal – but could face six years in prison. Ressa denied the charges and claimed they were politically motivated. But the president and his supporters have accused her, and her site, of reporting fake news.
In a country where journalists are under threat, Ressa’s case became symbolic and closely-followed – both domestically and internationally. “Rappler and I were not the only ones on trial,” Ressa told the BBC after the verdict. “I think what you’re seeing is death by a thousand cuts – not just of press freedom but of democracy.”
The case relates to an eight-year-old Rappler story alleging businessman Wilfredo Keng had links to illegal drugs and human trafficking. It also said he lent his car to a top judge. The article was written by former Rappler journalist Reynaldo Santos Jr who on Monday was found guilty alongside Ressa. The prosecution came under a “cyber-libel” law which came into force in September 2012 – four months after Rappler published the article.
While freedom of the press is guaranteed under the constitution, the Philippines is one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists, says US-based Freedom House. “Private militias, often hired by local politicians, silence journalists with complete impunity,” says Reporters Without Borders. Critics of President Duterte say that since he came to power, the media has been subject to pressure and retaliation from the government, if it criticises the administration too strongly. “So much is at stake,” Ressa told the BBC after the court decision. “Not just for journalists – but for Filipinos, for democracy. “I think we’re fighting the same battles that journalists all around the world are facing against populist authoritarian leaders that are hitting the messengers.”
Last month, one of the country’s leading broadcasters, ABS CBN went off air after it was ordered by the media regulator to stop operations while waiting for the renewal of its licence. The channel has in the past angered President Duterte. “With this latest assault on independent media, the human rights record of the Philippines continues its free fall,” Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific Regional Director, Nicholas Bequelin, said. “It is time for the UN to urgently open an international investigation into the country’s human rights crisis, in line with the recent conclusions of the UN Human Rights office itself.” The Philippines ranks 136th out of 180 countries on the World Press Freedom Index.
Source: BBC
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