New Delhi: The International Press Institute (IPI) has condemned the decision by the Philippine authorities to shut down Rappler, Maria Ressa’s news organisation that has been targeted for its critical coverage of President Rodrigo Duterte’s abuse of power.
“The IPI global network expressed outrage after Philippine authorities ordered the shutdown of Rappler, the pioneering news organisation founded by Nobel Peace Prize winner and IPI executive board member Maria Ressa,” IPI said in a statement.
Incidentally, the decision by the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission to revoke Rappler’s certificates of incorporation on June 28 for violating foreign ownership rules comes just two days before Duterte’s presidency came to an end. His term completed on Thursday, June 30.
Its critical coverage of Duterte’s bloody war on drugs and his abuses of power has made the news organisation and its founder Ressa the targets of the president.
To begin with, the Philippine SEC first revoked Rappler’s operating license in January 2018, but then it denied foreign ownership — which is prohibited for mass media companies in the Philippines — and continued to operate.
Over the years, Rappler and Ressa have faced harassment at hands of Philippine authorities under President Duterte. The harassment and intimidation campaign took the form of online attacks, arrests and legal charges. Ressa has also been slapped with a series of civil and criminal cases, including charges of tax evasion, three cyber libel cases and violations of foreign ownership rules. At one point, Ressa faced up to 100 years in prison cumulatively in various cases.
Speaking on the issue, IPI Deputy Director Scott Griffen said, “The Philippines’ decision to shut down Rappler is a flagrant attempt to silence a critical media outlet and a serious violation of press freedom, which has rapidly eroded under the Duterte administration.”
“IPI is outraged by this order, and we call on authorities to withdraw it immediately. We stand in solidarity with Maria Ressa and Rappler who face incessant, politically motivated attacks in retaliation for simply doing their job.”
Calling it “deplorable”, IPI executive board chair Khadija Patel said, “This decision is deplorable and is testimony to the legacy of an administration that has actively impeded press freedom throughout. As we call for this order to be overturned, we also call on the newly elected president to uphold the rule of law when it comes to news media in the country and stop harassment of critical journalists.”
From Thursday, June 30, Ferdinand Marcos Jr and vice president-elect Sara Duterte, the daughter of the outgoing president, will take over the administration. They won a landslide victory in elections that were held in May.
There are already concerns over the incoming government headed by Marcos Jr, the son of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr, whose rule was punctuated by widespread human rights abuses and corruption.
Against this backdrop, civil society groups, media groups and journalists have called upon the new president to uphold the press freedom and not let the harassment seen under Duterte repeat.
