Philippines: CFWIJ Condemns The Latest Cyber Libel Case Against Maria Ressa
Location: Philippines
Date: February 5, 2021
PHOTO CREDIT: SUSANNE KÖHLERE/WAHRHEITSKÄMPFER
Maria Ressa was charged in yet another cyber libel case for her role as an executive editor of Rappler— a position she vacated in June of 2020. The libel suit was filed in response to an article titled, “ Thesis for sale at the De La Salle - College of St. Benilde.” The piece alleges Ariel Pineda, a professor at St. Benilde college, of accepting PHP20,000 bribe from students to clear their theses. Rambo Talabong, the Rappler reporter who wrote the article, is also named in the same libel suit.
Maria Ressa and Rappler reporter Rambo Talabong face another libel case for one of the website’s articles. The report was published in January 2020, alleging professor Pineda of taking bribes from students to approve their theses. In response to the claims, Pineda filed a cyber libel case on December 7, 2020. The complaint against the journalists stated the article contained “false, malicious, derogatory and highly libellous imputation as well as offensive insinuations against the good name, character, and reputation.”
Rappler and Talabong stand by the article they have published. Talabong expressed his concerns over the libel laws applied against their work. He said, “I spent weeks reporting and weeks more doing everything to ensure that the story is fair.” Maria Ressa and Talabong have filed a motion to revoke the jurisdiction of libel laws pertaining to the case.
Both journalists have stated that there was no malicious intent behind publishing the article. They reiterated that the article contains strictly facts and details collected through a reliable source. Maria said she is being targeted for her role as then-executive editor, a position she gave up in June 2020. According to their lawyer Theodore Te, both journalists have paid PHP30,000 in bail.
Manila court accepted the plea motion of Maria Ressa and Rappler reporter Rambo Talabong and postponed the hearing of the libel case against them until March 11, 2021.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands in solidarity with Maria Ressa through this turbulent time. We condemn the repressive tactics aimed to intimidate Maria. We hope to see the end of the legal persecution that continues to target the journalist.
The CFWIJ strongly condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand the immediate return of the press cards seized from the security forces. Policies to intimidate journalists should be abandoned, and journalism should be practiced under the criteria of freedom of the press.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.