Journalists, both local and international, reacted to the new cyber libel case against Rappler CEO Maria Ressa for tweeting screenshots from an article from Philstar.com in February 2019.
Inquirer.net columnist Gideon Lasco wrote that the new cyber libel case against Ressa is both absurd and dangerous. He also asked if it’s a crime to express one’s opinion through social media.
The new case against @mariaressa – basically penalizing her for tweeting some screenshots – is both absurd and dangerous. Is it a crime to express one's opinion in social media? When will this madness end?
— Gideon Lasco (@gideonlasco) December 3, 2020
CBS News producer and Filipino journalist Barnaby Lo questioned if the freedom of speech in the Philippines really alive and well.
Freedom of speech is alive and well in the Philippines DAW. https://t.co/pAzc29fOcQ
— Barnaby Lo 吳宗鴻 (@barnabychuck) December 3, 2020
Jules Guiang, a young journalist, Quarantalk host, and previous affiliate of PTV4, wrote that netizens used screenshots to seek accountability. However, this case against Ressa poses a danger not only to journalists but to all netizens.
In a time of ‘resibo,’ exposing these screenshots is our own simple way of seeking accountability, yet poof we have this, yet another case against @mariaressa. This is very, very dangerous to all netizens. https://t.co/ZLvjtOChe2
— Jules Guiang (@julesguiang) December 3, 2020
The Philippine Business and News columnist Francis Baraan IV replied to Ressa’s tweet, writing that the cases were absurd and preposterous.
That's absurd! Preposterous!
— Francis Baraan IV (@MrFrankBaraan) December 3, 2020
ABS-CBN News reporter Mike Navallo tweeted Ressa’s interview with TeleRadyo just before her hearing. He wrote that Ressa told TeleRadyo that she’s taking the case with a smile. He also quoted Ressa’s concern for netizens who also screengrabs and tweets on social media.
Just before her hearing, Maria Ressa tells TeleRadyo she's taking 2nd cyber libel case "with a smile." She's being prosecuted for sharing screenshot of 2002 PhilStar article on businessman Wilfredo Keng. "Medyo mabigat yun kasi andaming nagti-tweet, nag-i-screenshot."
— Mike Navallo (@mikenavallo) December 4, 2020
International journalists also took notice of the news and reacted through social media.
Joanna Fuertes-Knight, a British-Filipina Journalist who has produced documentaries for BBC, wrote that the Philippines’ attack on the free press and attempts to silence Ressa makes her sick.
https://twitter.com/FUERTESKNIGHT/status/1334798071675432961
Journalist, formerly affiliated with NBC, and 60 Minutes, Cassandra Vinograd also reacted by quoting the #HoldTheLine steering committee.
“We are alarmed by this escalation of threats against Maria Ressa and call on the Duterte regime to cease its baseless legal attacks on Ressa and Rappler in an attempt to silence their public interest reporting.” https://t.co/2mL31bxUIr
— Cassandra Vinograd (@CassVinograd) December 4, 2020
Finally, Jessica Jerreat, a US Based journalist covering press freedom, censorship, international news, quoted Ressa on her Twitter account asking, in which world can you go to jail for a tweet of a screengrab of a newspaper.
‘In which world can you go to jail for a tweet of a screen-grab of a newspaper article?’ @mariaressa arrives for cyber libel hearing. #HoldTheLine https://t.co/Ll6CEWr4qE
— jessicajerreat (@JessicaJerreat) December 4, 2020
Case Background
The second libel case against Ressa was for her February 2019 tweets containing screenshots of a 2002 Philippine Star article uploaded on Philstar.com in 2012. The said article alleged the Filipino-Chinese businessman Wifredo Keng as the “prime suspect” in the murder of former Manila councilor Chika Go. The said 2002 article also accused Keng of having alleged involvement in the smuggling of fake cigarettes and other illegal activities. Philstar.com took down the Philippine Star article after Keng raised the possibility of legal action.
Earlier this year, Manila Regional Trial Court convicted Ressa and former Rappler researcher Reynaldo Santos, Jr. for the cyber libel case filed by Keng in 2017.
