Maria Ressa: Background
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IPI Board member Maria Ressa, founder and editor of the award-winning news site Rappler, faces at least eight active criminal and administrative cases, which include tax cases, alleged violations of foreign ownership rules, and libel cases – all designed to harass Ressa and stop Rappler’s work. IPI is calling on Philippine authorities to drop all cases.
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She faces up to 100 years in prison across all currently open cases.
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Press freedom is under severe threat in the Philippines. In addition to the cases against Ressa and Rappler, authorities stripped the country’s largest broadcaster, ABS-CBN, of its license.
Latest developments
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In June 2020, Ressa was convicted of “cyber-libel” and sentenced to a maximum sentence of 6 years. In July, a judge rejected a motion to reconsider the verdict. The case will now go to an appeals court.
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On July 30, Ressa will appear in court again in a second cyber-libel case.
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On July 22, Ressa was appeared in court in one of the tax cases. The court rejected a request to drop the charges.
Latest IPI statements
25.8.2020
Zur deutschen Version. Germany should use its current EU presidency to defend press freedo…
21.7.2020
The International Press Institute (IPI) has joined 77 other civil society and journalism o…
21.7.2020
The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and…
The IPI global network stands behind Maria Ressa
Spread the word! Tweet and share this video
The politically motivated legal harassment against @rapplerdotcom CEO, IPI Executive Board member @mariaressa must end. I stand with Maria. #HoldTheLine #MariaRessa
From Turkey to Nigeria, IPI members and National Committees around the world are protesting the harassment of Maria Ressa and letting the Philippine authorities know that Maria and Rappler are not alone.
The Turkish National Committee of IPI @globalfreemedia stands in solidarity with @rapplerdotcom founder @mariaressa.
— Emre KIZILKAYA (@ekizilkaya) June 10, 2020
Criminal cases against her are part of a larger assault on #PressFreedom in #Duterte's #Philippines.
We write letters to their Embassy ahead of the verdict. pic.twitter.com/3ifYjCy4M6
