Rappler's latest stories on media
After Ressa conviction, lawmaker seeks 1-year prescription period for cyber libel
Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Representative Rufus Rodriguez says explicitly putting this in the Cybercrime Law would ''put to rest the issue of prescription of the crime of cyber libel'
Facebook to block foreign state media ads for U.S. election
Facebook's move comes under growing pressure over its hands-off approach to misinformation and inflammatory posts and following criticism it turned a blind eye to foreign interference in the 2016 presidential poll
Aquino: Why not use cybercrime law to go after trolls, purveyors of fake news?
'Parang pilit na pilit,' former President Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino III says of the cyber libel conviction of Rappler CEO and executive editor Maria Ressa and former Rappler researcher-writer, Rey Santos, Jr
U.S. State Dept, ambassador 'concerned' by Ressa verdict, call for free speech
America calls for a resolution of the case 'in a way that reinforces the U.S. and Philippines’ long shared commitment to freedom of expression, including for members of the press'
EU hits Ressa verdict, urges PH to protect free press
'We expect the Philippines, like all countries, to uphold its international human rights obligations and protect and promote fundamental freedoms,' says the European Union External Action Service
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
Propaganda machine meets its match: Celebrity fandoms
Where platforms are plagued with disinformation, propaganda, and trolls, freedom-loving Filipinos find an unlikely ally: celebrity fan groups
Law experts: 12-year prescription period for cyber libel unconstitutional
'The overriding issue in the Rappler case is prescription,' says retired supreme court senior associate justice Antonio Carpio, who agrees that cyber libel must prescribe in 1 year, not 12 years
Aquino's contested cyber libel law gets new claws in ruling vs Rappler
Supreme Court dissenters warned against a cyber libel law that takes its definition from a 1930 statute, but will be applied to the internet age. They were overruled. The Rappler ruling is a new threatening development.
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
U.S. senators warn verdict vs Ressa sets 'dangerous precedent'
'Today we must face our own fear: that one of the oldest democracies in Asia…is abandoning its commitment to fundamental freedoms including freedom of the press,' say US Senators Edward Markey, Patrick Leahy, and Dick Durbin
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
Interest in news high, but trust low in the Philippines – 2020 Digital News Report
Filipinos' low trust in news could be due to the attacks that the media faced over the last year
U.S. should resist Maria Ressa verdict – Washington Post
The conviction of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa 'ought to be shocking to democratic nations,' says the Washington Post Editorial Board
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'
Hillary Clinton, Madeleine Albright stand with Maria Ressa
'We must fiercely protest attacks on the press. They are attacks on democracy,' says former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton
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
Guilty verdict proves gov’t could exhaust resources to attack critics, schools say
The Departments of Communication and Political Science of the Ateneo de Manila University-Loyola Schools and University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication criticize the government for its latest attempt to silence the media
Twitter expresses support for Maria Ressa, press freedom
'Governments should not impinge on the fundamental values of a free press,' says Twitter
Dissent through art in the time of media clampdown
Filipinos use art to express dissent following the cyber libel conviction of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and former researcher-writer Reynaldo Santos Jr
Judge Montesa 'failed to understand how journalism works'
The Consortium on Democracy and Disinformation blasts the verdict against Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and former researcher-writer Reynaldo Santos Jr, saying it puts everyone online in peril
'Nakakalungkot, nakakagalit": PH stars express outrage after Maria Ressa is convicted of libel
Quark Henares, Antoinette Jadaone, Dan Villegas, and Janine Gutierrez are some of the artists who expressed their dismay over the verdict
Why democracies should push back vs Maria Ressa verdict
'This is an international test for respect for the rule of law,' says world-renowned journalist Peter Greste
International media groups denounce Ressa, Santos' conviction
(5th UPDATE) The Committee to Protect Journalists, Reporters Without Borders, Foreign Correspondents’ Club Hong Kong, and International Federation of Journalists say the conviction is a crime against press freedom
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
'Another blow to press freedom’: Student groups condemn cyber libel conviction
Various groups say the guilty verdict depicts a clear message to silence institutions that report on the truth about the government
Journalists show solidarity with Ressa and Santos, slam guilty verdict
The verdict would render journalists and citizens defenseless against government officials who will do anything to evade accountability, they say
Business groups: Ressa verdict threatens Filipinos' rights, freedoms
(UPDATED) 'It is a big blow to press freedom especially given serious constitutional questions on whether the law is applicable at all. This would threaten our other rights and freedoms,' business groups say
#CourageON: How you can support Rappler after cyber libel verdict
The decision will not silence us. It has made us more resolute in our mission to hold power to account.
Robredo: Be wary of Ressa verdict's ‘chilling’ effect on citizens’ freedoms
'Silencing, harassing, and weaponizing law against the media sends a clear message to every dissenting voice: Keep quiet or you are next,' warns Vice President Leni Robredo
Media calls on EU to crack down on online disinformation
Broadcasters, publishers, and journalists call on the European Commission to implement 'much stronger measures' to combat disinformation on internet platforms such as Google and Facebook
What Maria Ressa conviction means for reporting confidential sources
Judge Montesa's 37-page ruling does not discuss how to treat confidential sources. Instead it faults Rappler for 'not verifying' and stresses that the free press must be responsible.
Facebook rejects call to share revenue with Australian media
'If there were no news content available on Facebook in Australia, we are confident the impact on Facebook’s community metrics and revenues in Australia would not be significant,' the company says
Court affirms republication a separate libel offense, prescription period is 12 years
(UPDATED) Had it not been for those 2 legal issues, the disputed article would not have been covered by 2012 Cybercrime Law. Ressa warns it affects everyone who posts online.
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
Lawmakers to Filipinos: Resist repression as Ressa's conviction 'not the last'
(UPDATED) 'We are complicit if we stay silent,' says Senator Risa Hontiveros
‘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’
Rights groups slam cyber libel conviction: Dangerous to PH democracy
(UPDATED) Karapatan says the guilty verdict 'sends an even more dangerous message to the public that anyone and everyone can be criminalized for their views and opinions'
DOCUMENT: Decision on cyber libel conviction of Maria Ressa et al
Read here the full decision of Judge Rainelda Estacio Montesa convicting Maria Ressa and Rey Santos Jr of cyber libel
Rappler statement on cyber libel conviction: Failure of justice, failure of democracy
The decision today marks not the rule of law, but the rule of law twisted to suit the interests of those in power who connive to satisfy their mutually beneficial personal and political agenda
Maria Ressa, Rey Santos Jr convicted of cyber libel
(4th UPDATE) The court rules only Rappler as a company is not guilty
Forum on the cyber libel verdict against Maria Ressa, Rappler
(UPDATED) The Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 46 is scheduled to hand down its verdict on Rappler, its CEO Maria Ressa, and former researcher-writer Reynaldo Santos Jr in the high profile cyber libel case on Monday, June 15
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.
[OPINION] Hashtags, trending topics, and the death of Michelle Silvertino
'What was it like to wait 5 days for a bus? What happened in between? What was she thinking? How did she feel?'
Facebook's Manage Activity tool lets you delete old posts in bulk
Facebook’s new Manage Activity tool can help you easily filter, delete, or archive multiple posts at a time.
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'
Twitter removes China, Russia, and Turkey 'state-linked' accounts
By far the biggest network uncovered was linked to China, Twitter says, comprised of a 'highly engaged core' of 23,750 accounts that was boosted by a further 150,000 'amplifier' accounts
U.N. Rapporteur writes PH court in Rappler case to protect journalism
David Kaye says he hopes his brief will give Judge Montesa 'a greater understanding of the role of journalists and the special protection all Member States must accord'
No evidence yet reported accounts engaged in malicious activity – Facebook
'At this time, we have not seen evidence of the reported accounts engaging in coordinated or malicious activity focused on creating fake accounts,' says Facebook
