Philippines: PEN International calls for urgent inquiry into the killing of poet Ericson Acosta
PEN International and PEN Philippines call for an urgent and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of poet and activist Ericson Acosta.
Philippines: Maria Ressa’s ‘cyber libel’ conviction appeal denied by court
Maria Ressa has 15 days to file a final appeal before the Philippine Supreme Court.
Radio commentator shot dead in the Philippines’s capital region
Radio commentator Percy Lapid is the second journalist killed under the government of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Hold the Line Coalition demands immediate decriminalisation of libel in the Philippines as Maria Ressa faces extended jail sentence
If journalist Maria Ressa is convicted on all counts, she faces cumulative jail sentences of up to 100 years.
Shutdown order against “Rappler” must be revoked immediately
“The SEC shutdown order is part of a multi–pronged attack by the Philippine authorities designed to permanently silence Rappler and its founder, Nobel Laureate Maria Ressa. It also marks an escalation in the years-long pressure on the few remaining independent news publishers in the Philippines,” the HTL Steering Committee said.
Philippines: National Telecommunication Commission blocks alternative media websites
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines denounced the arbitrary inclusion of Bulatlat, Pinoy Weekly and other alternative news sites in the list.
Mass arrests of journalists, writers, artists and other cultural workers
83 people have been detained in the Philippines following their participation in peaceful activism in support of land reform.
Philippines: Marcos administration must demonstrate commitment to voters, enact pro-democracy reforms
Freedom House urged the next government of the Philippines to uphold democratic ideals and the rule of law, including ensuring the freedom and safety of journalists.
Hold the Line Coalition condemns 16 new legal complaints against Maria Ressa & “Rappler”
“The State’s blatant attempts to suppress Rappler’s election-related fact-checking services is an unacceptable attempt to cheat the public of their right to accurate information, which is critical during elections,” said the Hold the Line Coalition Steering Committee.
The murder of Gerry Ortega: Justice delayed; justice denied
Substantial flaws were found in the legal procedures in the case of Filipino journalist Gerry Ortega, who was murdered on 24 January 2011.
New libel complaint against Nobel laureate Maria Ressa
The #HoldtheLine Coalition has condemned ongoing State-linked legal harassment of the Nobel laureate after new libel complaints were filed against Maria Ressa’s “Rappler” and six other news organizations – by a senior member of the Philippine cabinet.
Philippines: Energy Secretary, Duterte campaign donor file suits against journalists
The Philippines Energy Secretary and a campaign donor of President Rodrigo Duterte have filed libel and cyberlibel charges against 21 journalists and media executives for their reporting on a controversial energy deal.
Ahead of Nobel Prize, #HoldTheLine Coalition demands charges against Maria Ressa be dropped
“The government’s relentless and retaliatory campaign against Ressa serves a sole purpose: to silence independent journalism and curtail the free flow of information in the country,” said the #HoldTheLine steering committee.
Philippine media statement on Maria Ressa’s Nobel Peace Prize
Filipino journalists and media groups have signed a statement highlighting the significance of the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Maria Ressa and Dmitri Muratov; and how press freedom remains in a fragile state in the Philippines today.
A call to the Philippine Army: Respect for press freedom in word and deed
A coalition of press freedom advocates condemns the Philippine Army’s Distributed Denial of Service cyberattacks on the websites of two alternative media organizations in the Philippines.
#HoldTheLine Coalition welcomes dismissal of cyber-libel charge against Maria Ressa and calls for remaining charges to be dropped
“We welcome the overdue withdrawal of this trumped-up charge against Maria Ressa, which was the latest in a cluster of cases intended to silence her independent reporting. We call for the remaining charges against Ressa and ‘Rappler’ to be dropped without further delay, and other forms of pressure against them immediately ceased.”