Rappler's latest stories on freedom
Things to know: Malaysiakini and what its case means for press freedom
Malaysiakini and editor-in-chief Steven Gan, who could face imprisonment if found guilty of contempt of court, await the Malaysian Federal Court's judgment
[OPINION | Just Saying] Constitutional prerogative gone wrong
'The denial of ABS-CBN’s franchise application resonates with all of us: our job security, our freedom of information, expression, and the press and, our fundamental right to know and be happy'
'End has come:' Calida warms towards House in hailing ABS-CBN franchise kill
It seems that all is well now between Calida and House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, because what used to be a clash over jurisdiction now appears to be just a thing of the past
Malacañang: ABS-CBN franchise rejection is 'decision of Filipino people'
President Spokesman Harry Roque again claims the controversial decision has 'no chilling effect,' supposedly because ABS-CBN is mostly engaged in producing entertainment content
PH journalists slam rejection of ABS-CBN franchise: 'History is never kind to tyrants'
(4th UPDATE) 'A thousand little cuts do not make us weak, these make us stronger,' says the Malacañang Press Corps, as Philippine journalists call out the 'house of minions'
Russian investigators search homes of Kremlin critics
The latest searches of members of the opposition come after Vladimir Putin, who has been in power for two decades, this month oversaw a controversial vote that allows him to extend his hold on power until 2036
Malaysia police question Australian Al Jazeera journalists
The probe into the Qatar-based network's program adds concerns about a widening media crackdown in Malaysia since a coalition headed by a scandal-plagued party took power in March
Int'l media groups launch global campaign to support Maria Ressa, PH press freedom
'The campaign takes its name from Ressa's commitment to hold the line in response to sustained state harassment and prolific online violence'
Russia tells U.S. to 'mind own business' over media freedom
The spokeswoman for the US embassy in Moscow tweets: 'Watching arrest after arrest of Russian journalists – it's starting to look like a concerted campaign against #MediaFreedom'
[OPINION] Duterte raises the bar on impunity
'It is now hoped that petitions to junk the anti-terror law filed in the Supreme Court can be judiciously decided sooner than later'
[OPINION] The moment of truth for the ABS-CBN franchise
'Already, many people in the provinces and our islands have lost access to their only sources of news. This has life and death implications for many...'
Duterte 'compiling' information vs Maria Ressa
The President slams 'bright girls' who write critically of his government. He also claims he doesn't read well-written articles that show him in a bad light.
Russia detains ex-defense reporter for treason
'The case against Ivan Safronov is an absolutely new level of repression against journalism in the country,' says security analyst Andrei Soldatov
Malaysia probes Al Jazeera documentary about migrant arrests
Concerns about worsening freedom of expression have been growing in Malaysia since the collapse of a reformist government in February and the return of a scandal-plagued party to power
[OPINION] How social media users can protect themselves from the anti-terror law
'What should the people do? Should they delete their old posts or make their accounts private?' That may not be enough.
Russian journalist avoids jail but given huge fine in 'terror' case
'The biggest success is that I was not forbidden from working in my profession,' the journalist tells the crowd, sporting a T-shirt that says 'We will not shut up'
[OPINION] Defiance as a moral obligation
'Jesus, in the Gospel, said that if a hand causes you to sin, it has to be cut off. This means that things that enable immorality have to be fought and abolished.'
Youth groups vow to fight implementation of anti-terror law
'Kakalampagin natin ang Korte Suprema. Lalaban ulit tayo sa Kongreso,' says Katapat, echoing fellow youth groups in the country following the signing of the anti-terror law
[OPINION | Just Saying] Judges should not take offense
'[Judges] cannot just blame people for making negative outbursts regarding their decisions'
Brazil's Senate approves controversial bill against disinformation
One of the bill's most controversial articles will require social media platforms to make supposedly confidential messages available to the judiciary for 3 months, including the identity of senders
Turkey to try Khashoggi murder suspects in absentia – fiancee
The suspects are charged with 'deliberately and monstrously killing, causing torment'
Philanthropists save Australia's AAP newswire from closure
The investor consortium, which includes former News Corp chief Peter Tonagh, tells staff in an email they shared 'a common goal – a desire to protect media diversity in Australia'
[OPINION] Beyond legalities and technicalities: How the court decision challenges us to keep press freedom alive
'Fear is not what we need at this time, of all times. Especially if fear tricks us into seeing enemies where there are only fellow Filipinos and fellow human beings...'
[ANALYSIS] The global significance of the Ressa-Santos convictions
'To think that the conviction will only last for at least 6 years is wrong. This imprisonment will last for generations and lifetimes to come, and haunt the national memory.'
Maria Ressa to receive international 2020 John Aubuchon Press Freedom Award
The Washington-based National Press Club has chosen Rappler CEO Maria Ressa for its international Press Freedom Award, which is given to an individual 'who bravely pushes to disclose the truth in trying circumstances'
[ANALYSIS] Understanding the Ressa-Santos convictions
'How can an offense deemed to be so minor such as libel and a right so fundamental such as the freedom of speech and of the press stir so much conflict and confusion?'
U.N. experts renew call for urgent probe into Philippines' human rights abuses
(UPDATED) The experts also call on the International Criminal Court to 'expedite and prioritize the completion of its preliminary examination of the situation in the Philippines'
Hong Kong satirists say self-censorship already blunting dissent
Ridicule of the powerful is ingrained in Hong Kong's culture, aided by Cantonese, a language often riotously colorful in its insults. But that is something Hong Kongers believe Beijing is determined to stamp out.
Top Hungary news site says independence in 'grave danger'
Index.hu editor-in-chief Szabolcs Dull says a 'proposed organizational overhaul' put Index 'under such external pressure that could spell out the end of our editorial staff as we know it'
'A Thousand Cuts' wins best international feature at New Zealand film festival
The film by Ramona Diaz follows Rappler CEO Maria Ressa, as it covers democracy and press freedom in the Philippines
Trump appointee shakes up U.S. broadcasting, raising fears
'This kind of blatant political interference has long been the norm in the developing countries with which I'm most familiar, but not in the US,' Janet Steele, director of the Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication at George Washington University
After verdict on Maria Ressa, world puts Duterte on trial
(UPDATED) In this global court, at stake is more than a fine and jail time, but the Philippines’ name on the world stage
[OPINION | Newspoint] From here to cyber’nity
The cybercrime law goes against the universal trend toward making libel no longer punishable by imprisonment, a long-overdue reinforcement of press freedom in its lopsided relationship to power
Media watchdog: Freedom of expression a ‘personal challenge’ to all Filipinos
The cyber libel verdict on Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and former researcher Rey Santos Jr affects all citizens, says the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility
Progressive orgs slam Duterte for taking advantage of pandemic to attack media
The Save Our Schools Network says it believes the conviction is part of the Duterte administration's aim to silence critical media
After ruling vs Ressa, uploaded old print articles vulnerable to cyber libel
'In other words, your articles from 3 ago or even 10 years ago can be used to sue you for cyber libel on the ground that they had been republished,' says lawyer Romel Bagares, one of the petitioners against the 2012 Cybercrime Law
IBP questions jail sentence for Maria Ressa despite SC guidance to set only fines
Manila Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa says social media makes 'the keyboard mightier than the pen and thus mightier than the sword'
Top Russia newspaper editors quit, denouncing censorship
While the daily newspaper focuses on business and industry news, its editorial section has become a vital space for dissenting voices and debate on political life in Russia
Rappler receives One World Media Special Award 2020
The Special Award seeks to recognize reporting that informs the public, provides an outlet for people's voices, creates space for critical information, and holds power to account
Twitter expresses support for Maria Ressa, press freedom
'Governments should not impinge on the fundamental values of a free press,' says Twitter
Malacañang claims Duterte supports free press but leaves out threats vs media
After the conviction of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque uses President Rodrigo Duterte’s backing of a Davao-based journalist in an old libel case as proof he supports press freedom
UN experts condemn guilty verdict on Ressa, Santos: 'Tragedy for PH democracy'
'What a complete travesty of justice and an outrage,' says UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression David Kaye
‘A sad day for democracy’: Filipinos denounce guilty verdict in Rappler cyber libel case
(UPDATED) Filipinos online say the conviction of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and former researcher-writer Reynaldo Santos Jr is ‘another cut to add to the thousands’
[EDITORIAL] Dagok sa demokrasya
Sa ibinabang desisyon, hindi batas ang nangibabaw; ang nagwagi ay ang pagbaluktot ng batas para sa kasiyahan at interes ng mga nasa kapangyarihan at kanilang mga kasabwat
Maria Ressa, Rey Santos Jr convicted of cyber libel
(4th UPDATE) The court rules only Rappler as a company is not guilty
VERDICT PRIMER: Legal and factual issues in Rappler, Maria Ressa cyber libel case
(UPDATED) Cyber libel is punishable by jail time of 6 months and 1 day to up to 7 years. If acquitted, Maria Ressa faces 7 other criminal charges.
‘A painful but necessary watch’: Filipinos laud ‘A Thousand Cuts’
(UPDATED) The online screening of ‘A Thousand Cuts,’ a documentary on the struggles of the free press under the Duterte administration, was met with praise all over social media
FRONTLINE, ICFJ to present conversation with Rappler's Maria Ressa on press freedom
Rappler CEO Maria Ressa, 'A Thousand Cuts' director Ramona Diaz, and FRONTLINE Executive Producer Raney Aronson-Rath will engage in a conversation on 'Truth, Power and the Importance of Press Freedom' on Saturday, June 13
Never again, vow Filipino journalists on Independence Day
At least 30 groups and close to a 100 journalists sign a joint statement to 'renew our pledge to serve the people, to continue speaking truth to power, and to guard and defend freedom of the press and of expression from all threats'
No to anti-terror bill? DILG employees ‘advised’ against posting on social media
‘We are encouraging everyone in the DILG to be responsible in posting their views and comments against the bill in their social media accounts’
