Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR)

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.

On the same day the Filipino government celebrated the country’s “robust” press freedom, the license of Rappler news group was revoked over “foreign ownership” allegations, months after President Duterte made similar claims during a speech.

Eight years, zero convictions. This summarizes the 2017 update on the trial of the accused in the Ampatuan massacre of 2009. With more than 100 charged, even a dedicated branch of the court can only do so much.

IFEX members join 55 NGOs in an open call to the international community to reconvene the Paris Peace Conference in light of its 26th anniversary and worsening attacks on democracy in Cambodia.

34 NGOs call on the government of Ghana to ensure its citizens’ right to access to information.

On the one-year anniversary of the death of popular Cambodian activist Kem Ley, civil society organisations from around the world reiterated their call for an independent inquiry.