The conviction of Rappler’s Maria Ressa and Reynaldo Santos Jr. on cyber-libel charges has dire implications on the state of press freedom and the people’s right to information and freedom of expression in the Philippines.
Stand with Rappler, resist repression
We in the alternative media community stand in solidarity with journalist Maria Ressa and news outfit Rappler as the Manila Regional Trial Court hands down on June 15 its decision on the cyberlibel case filed against them over a 2012 story involving businessman Wilfredo Keng.
Malacañang had previously denied it has a hand on the cyberlibel case, even as Ressa and Rappler face several other accusations of tax fraud, and violations of the Securities Regulation Code, the Anti-Dummy Law, etc. It has also denied it had anything to do with the shutdown of broadcast network ABS-CBN, even if all indication points otherwise.
Taken as a whole, this barrage of legal cases and accusations against Rappler, ABS-CBN, and other independent journalists is clearly part of the administration’s continuing attack against the media — with a determined aim of instilling fear among media practitioners committed to reporting the truth and holding the administration into account.
The Philippine media, both in the alternative and dominant, has faced a systematic assault under the Duterte administration. An unfavorable verdict on Rappler’s case would be another blow to press freedom and free expression in the country, but this will certainly not deter the media community in resisting repression.
We encourage our fellow media practitioners in both the alternative and dominant media to stand with Rappler as part of our duty of defending press freedom and opposing the Duterte regime’s suppression of our rights and civil liberties.
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GRAND MAÑANITA
Members of progressive groups and various organizations troop to the University of the Philippines-Diliman campus on June 12, the Philippines’ 122nd Independence Day, to hold the ‘grand mañanita’ where they called for the junking of the Anti-Terrorism Bill despite a government ban on mass gatherings. The birthday-themed protest was also a criticism against the National Capital Region Police Office for holding an early morning “extravagant” party for its chief, Brigadier General Debold Sinas, last May 8 where partygoers violated physical distancing and liquor ban during the enhanced community quarantine. (Maro Enriquez/davaotoday.com[/caption]
Progressive groups in Cavite holds “mañanita” on Independence Day
Despite the warnings against outdoor protests by the authorities due to COVID-19 pandemic, progressive organizations held the grand “mañanita” on Independence Day at Pala-Pala, Cavite as a satirical reenactment of Major Gen. Debold Sinas’ birthday celebration. The protest was against the controversial Anti-Terrorism Bill Act of 2020. The protesters continued their program even there was […]
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Juana Change impersonates NCRPO chief at ‘Grand Mañanita’
Performance artist Mae Paner, also known as Juana Change, impersonates Philippine National Police-National Capital Region Police Office chief Major General Debold Sinas at last Friday’s Grand Mañanita at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.
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Cuba and COVID-19 pandemic: a small island nation has lessons for the world
Latin America is the world’s worst-hit region by the coronavirus pandemic, according to the World Health Organization. Brazil, the region’s biggest economy, overtook UK in the number of deaths, now coming in second after the US. But while cases continue to soar in countries like Brazil (reporting 25,982 new infections on June 12), the island […]
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Activism is not terrorism, rebellion is also not terrorism
Activism is not terrorism, yes—but it is also important to counter state propaganda that equates rebellion with terrorism. This dangerous and malicious assertion is what ultimately lays the groundwork for the government to railroad the passage of the Anti-Terrorism Bill. For example, the New People’s Army (NPA), as the armed wing of the Communist Party […]
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