Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR)

CMFR sees the suit against ABS-CBN as a dangerous attempt to control and silence the free press.

Members of the Ampatuan family and accomplices were sentenced up to 40 years in prison for the killing of 58 individuals, 32 of whom were journalists, in 2009.

The judge ruled that the “undue haste in the transmittal of records” by the prosecutor violated the “Rappler” executives’ right to due process.

Red-baiting incidents against media practitioners have worsened under the Duterte administration.

The senate bill criminalises the publication of ‘false content’ and imposes harsh penalties.

Rappler CEO and Executive Editor Maria Ressa was arrested on 13 February 2019 for cyber libel regarding an article that was published in May 2012, four months before the Philippine Cyber Crime Prevention Act was signed into law. She was released after posting bail on 14 February.

Media groups and press freedom advocates have expressed support for Rappler and its president Maria Ressa as the company faces yet another legal battle.

This pooled editorial highlights the threats to press freedom in the Philippines under the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte.