TGIF Feature: Stirring song from 'Les Miserable' irks Philippines' Duterte

A scene from the music video 'Di Niyo Ba Naririnig.'

Celebrities from the Philippines' film, theater and music world took part in a rousing rendition  of “Di Niyo Ba Naririnig”, a Tagalog translation of Les Miserable musical number "Do You Hear The People Sing?"

The song was played during “Tinig ng Bayan: #SONAgkaisa online concert” which streamed July 27, the same time that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was delivering his State of the Nation Address (SONA).

The stirring video apparently hit a raw nerve with Duterte, who responded in Tagalog a few days later, "There’s a song about a revolution that was put out by the government’s critics. ... let’s not prolong the process. If you want (to oust me), do it now."

The song, translated by Vincent de Jesus with additional lyrics by Rody Vera and Joel Saracho was first performed in 2017 during an event to mark the 45th anniversary of  Martial Law under the Filipino dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

This newest iteration of the song interspersed with the singers photos of the the more unsavory elements of Duterte's regime including the extrajudicial killings of drug offenders, the war against a free press and the closure of the country's biggest media corporation, ABS-CBN. Many of the participants in the video worked on shows that was aired on the network before the government closed the network last month.

Les Miserables is based on the 1862 novel of the same name by Victor Hugo, which is set in France and follows the life of Jean Valjean, a man who is imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread.
The novel – considered one of the greatest of the 19th century – concludes against the background of the Paris Uprising of 1832.

The song "Do You Hear The People Sing?" is among the most recognizable from the hit musical. Its performed twice – during the story, as students prepare to launch a rebellion, and again to close the show. It has since been adapted as a protest song many times over, in different languages. 

Most recently, Hong Kong demonstrators sang the militant song during a takeover of a mall  during a protest.

Angel Locsin, Iza Calzado and Enchong Dee joined a rendition of “Di Niyo Ba Naririnig” in time for the SONA. Image: Facebook/@AngelLocsin, Instagram/@missizacalzado, @mr_enchongdee

Filipino actors Angel Locsin, Enchong Dee, Jodi Sta Maria, Iza Calzado, and Noel Cabangon are among those who took part in the music video. 

Other featured artists include Agot Isidro, Mylene Dizon, Celeste Legaspi, Monique Wilson, Ebe Dancel, Kean Cipriano, Mae Paner, and Jim Paredes.

Following is the translation into Tagalog with the additional lyrics specific to the situation in the Philippines: 

DI NIYO BA NARIRINIG? Tinig ng bayan na galit Himig ito ng Pilipinong Di muli palulupig Dudurugin ang dilim Ang araw ay mag-aalab At mga pusong nagtimpi Ay magliliyab Ikaw ba'y makikibaka At hindi maduduwag Na gisingin ang mga panatikong bingi’t bulag Kasinungalingan labanan hanggang mabuwag Di niyo ba naririnig? Tinig ng bayan na galit Himig ito ng Pilipinong Di muli palulupig Dudurugin ang dilim Ang araw ay mag-aalab At mga pusong nagtimpi Ay magliliyab Ikaw ba ay dadaing na lang Kimi’t magmumukmok Habang nagpapakasasa Ang mga trapong bulok Gisingin ang puso Galitin hanggang pumutok Di niyo ba naririnig? Tinig ng bayan na galit Himig ito ng Pilipinong Di muli palulupig Dudurugin ang dilim Ang araw ay mag-aalab At mga pusong nagtimpi Ay magliliyab! Magliliyab!

* DI NIYO BA NARIRINIG? (Do You Hear the People Sing from Les Miserables by Claude-Michel Schönberg, Alain Boublil, Jean-Marc Natel and Herbert Kretzmer) Filipino Translation by Vincent A. de Jesus Additional lyrics by Rody Vera and Joel Saracho Musical Arrangement by Vincent A. de Jesus Music Producer: Paulo Zarate of Studio Z Video Producer: Chuck Gutierrez of Voyage Studios Executive Producer: Noel Ferrer Creative Producer: Baby Ruth Villarama Cinematographer: Dexter dela Peña Photos by Raffy Lerma, Neil Daza & Chiara Zambrano

Journalist Maria Ressa found guilty by Manila court

SCREEN CAPTURE / CNN

Journalist Maria Ressa warned about the death of democracy.

A Filipino American journalist who helped establish Rappler, a news website in the Philippines, has been found guilty on Monday of cyber libel charges and could face up to six years in prison.

Embattled Maria Ressa, one of four journalists named Persons of the Year by Time Magazine in 2018, denies the charges and called the proceedings a politically motivated effort to silence independent journalism in the Philippines.

Also found guilty was Reynaldo Santos Jr., a former researcher and editor for Rappler, which was found not guilty even though it has often offered reports critical of policies of the administration of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

After the verdict, Ressa told the BBC, "Rappler and I were not the only ones on trial." 

"I think what you're seeing is death by a thousand cuts - not just of press freedom but of democracy."

She and Santos remain free as the case is under appeal.

After Ressa and Santos were arrested in February 2019, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a statement that said Ressa’s treatment “appears to be the latest element in a pattern of intimidation of a media outlet that has fiercely guarded its independence and its right to conduct in-depth investigations and to criticize the authorities.”

Like strongman leaders around the world, Duterte doesn't take kindly when he is taken to task by the press. He often calls critical news reports, especially from Rappler, as "fake news" and calls journalists "spies."

"Just because you're a journalist you are not exempted from assassination, if you're a son of a bitch," Duterte warned. "Freedom of expression cannot help you if you have done something wrong."

The Asian American Journalists Association backed a statement issued by its Asia chapter, which "stands in full support of Ms. Ressa, Mr. Santos and all Filipino media and journalists in this new attack against press freedom that critically undermines the right for every citizen in the Philippines to access free, independent news. We join with organizations around the world to call for an end to the prosecution of journalists who are simply doing the brave job of reporting inconvenient truths in the Philippines."

The Philippines' constitution guarantees freedom of the press the Philippines is one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists, says US-based Freedom House.

"Private militias, often hired by local politicians, silence journalists with complete impunity," says Reporters Without Borders.

Last month, one the country's biggest TV networks, ABS CBN went off air after it was ordered by the government's media regulator to stop operations while waiting for the renewal of its broadcasting license.

"With this latest assault on independent media, the human rights record of the Philippines continues its free fall," Amnesty International's Asia-Pacific Regional Director, Nicholas Bequelin, said.

"It is time for the UN to urgently open an international investigation into the country's human rights crisis, in line with the recent conclusions of the UN Human Rights office itself."

"The silencing of critics and the attacks on the media have been going on for 3 years now. And unless we stand up, speak out, and vigorously oppose the tyranny in our midst, their conviction will not be the last," said Philippines Senator Francis Pangilinanthe president of the once-ruling Liberal Party said in a statement.

Ressa was born in the Philippines but was raised in the US. She holds dual citizenship of the US and the Philippines. Ressa returned to the Philippines after the fall of the Ferdinand Marcos dictatorship in the 1980s. She worked for CNN-Philippines before forming the independent Rappler.

"I think we're fighting the same battles that journalists all around the world are facing against populist authoritarian leaders that are hitting the messengers," said Ressa.

Philippine gov't shuts down network critical of Duterte regime

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Filipinos protests the closure of the giant Philippine broadcasting network.

Subscribers to The Filipino Channel will still be able to watch their favorite soaps and game shows, most of which come from the Philippines, despite the network's mother company went dark on Tuesday, May 5.

The channel is the international subsidiary to ABS-CBN, the largest broadcasting network in the Philippines, airs programming aimed at the Philippine diaspora of millions of Filipinos in the US, Canada and other parts of the world.

Ironically, the day after World Press Freedom Day on Sunday, the license to broadcast ended for ABS-CBN, the Philippines largest media giant. The Solicitor General ordered the broadcasting network to shut down, effective immediately. The station went dark for its viewers in the Philippines after the last news show "signed off," Tuesday evening.

"TFC assures its many subscribers around the world that it will remain and continue to deliver relevant news and information, TV shows and movies across our different channels and platforms via cable and satellite, IPTV, and TFC Online," the embattled network said in an statement.

"We will continue our commitment to be of service to Filipinos, worldwide," the short statement concluded.

TFC operates several bureaus throughout the US and Canada that provides local programming of community events, local news and programming produced in the Philippines. The bureaus have been major sponsors of cultural events organized by Filipino American and Canadian communities, such as the Philippine Independence Day celebrations that have attracted thousands of Filipinos seeking a connection to their homeland or the homeland of their parents or grandparents.

The media corporation is owned by the prominent Lopez family of the Philippines. President Rodrigo Duterte has been at odds with the network since his 2016 campaign. Duterte accused the company of not running his campaign commercials.

Besides the broadcast network, Duterte has also attacked several media outlets, including Philippine Daily Inquirer and Rappler Holdings Corp., for their reporting on his drug war that has killed thousands with Duterte's open season on suspected drug dealers.
The Philippines' Solicitor General Jose Calida alleges that the ABS-CBN had issued Philippine Depositary Receipts to foreigners, raising questions about foreign ownership of the broadcast and print giant, which against the Philippine Constitution. 

Since those assertions arose, the network's foreign investors sold their shares to Filipino investors. Legislation granting the network its license has been stalled in the Duterete-controlled House of Representatives for several months.

In a May 5 letter sent by the NTC, ABS-CBN was ordered to stop operating all of its free TV and radio stations across the country. The network’s 25-year franchise expired on Monday, May 4.

The National Tellecommunications Commission stressed that, based on the radio control law, no person or company may operate any radio or TV broadcasting station without a congressional franchise.

“We have done all the requirements for renewal, and we have not violated any laws,” ABS-CBN President Carlo Katigbak said in a live broadcast minutes before its main television channel went off the air Tuesday evening.

The government action came as a surprise to the lawmakers in both houses of Congress. On March 10 the NTC committed to legislators that they would grant ABS-CBN a provisional authority to broadcast, while Congress tackles the bill for a new franchise for ABS-CBN.

"Ordering ABS-CBN to stop its operations is an outrageous attack on media freedom... The Filipino people need accurate information from independent sources. The government must act immediately to keep ABS-CBN on air and cease all attempts to curtail media freedom," Amnesty International's Philippines section director Butch Olano said in a statement.

"This latest move against ABS-CBN occurs after repeated attacks in the past against the network by President Duterte himself. It is yet another attack on freedom of expression in recent weeks, following the authorities' legal threats against people who criticised the government's response to the pandemic."

Duterte is reportedly “completely neutral” on the issue of ABS-CBN’s shutdown, his spokesman Harry Roque said Tuesday in a television interview.

The threat to the network drew protests from Filipino Americans during the 34th anniversary of the People Power Revolution in the Philippines that brought down the Marcos dictatorship. 

A show of solidarity came from the National Federation of Filipino American Associations, or NaFFAA, the Asian community of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Filipino American Human Rights Alliance, the U.S. Pinoys for Good Governance and the Fil-Am Press Club.

They said that it was the people that brought back democracy then — that same united force will fight for freedom of speech under the Duterte administration.

“ABS-CBN and TFC are a significant media resource whose importance to the Filipino American community cannot be overstated,” the National Federation of Filipino American Associations said in a statement. “As a Filipino news and media entity dedicated to artistic and journalistic excellence, they thoughtfully bridge the gap between the Philippines and its diverse diaspora across the United States and the world.

“Since the founding of NaFFAA, ABS-CBN has been a consistent and strong collaborative partner in NaFFAA’s efforts to empower Filipino Americans. They have helped further NaFFAA’s mission through support of programs such as the Biennial National Empowerment Conference, through TFCUniversity (TFCU), and Kollective Hustle.”

Human rights and journalist groups have slammed the sudden closure, with Amnesty International calling it a “dark day for press freedom in the Philippines, reminiscent of martial law when the dictatorship seized control over news agencies.”

“Ordering ABS-CBN to stop its operations is an outrageous attack on media freedom,” the group added.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) likewise reiterated the need for freedom of the free press in its statement, saying, “mainstream media, particularly ABS-CBN, have been vital to combatting the virus of fake news and have been instrumental to giving the most neglected sectors in this health crisis a voice.”

Sunday Read: Support gathers steam for news, entertainment source for Filipino Americans

Demonstrators in the Philippines rallied for press freedom last Friday, Feb. 21.

Filipino Americans are expressing support for the media giant ABS-CBN that has become one of the major sources of information about the Philippines and Filipino America.

ABS-CBN, which operates the The Filipino Channel in the US and has US editions of the Inquirer newspaper, is being threatened by the regime of President Rodrigo Duterte.

In a press statement, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) praised the network’s programming, which “reflects the touchstones of Filipino culture and heritage.” ABS-CBN, through its global television network, The Filipino Channel (TFC), connect over-four million Filipinos in the United States to their country of origin.

“ABS-CBN and TFC are a significant media resource whose importance to the Filipino American community cannot be overstated,” says Brendan Flores, NaFFAA National Chairman. “As a Filipino news and media entity dedicated to artistic and journalistic excellence, they thoughtfully bridge the gap between the Philippines and its diverse diaspora across the United States and the world.

“Since the founding of NaFFAA, ABS-CBN has been a consistent and strong collaborative partner in NaFFAA’s efforts to empower Filipino Americans. They have helped further NaFFAA’s mission through support of programs such as the Biennial National Empowerment Conference, through TFCUniversity (TFCU), and Kollective Hustle.”

From Honolulu to Toronto, the media giant operates bureaus in major urban centers in the US and Canada under The Filipino Channel or Balitang America. Much of the news broadcasts are in English although most of the station's entertainment programming originating from the Philippines is in Tagalog. The US edition of the Inquirer prints in English

The Philippines' media are granted franchises with time limits that allow them to operate. ABS-CBN's franchise agreement is due to end at the end of March.

Duterte's administration is using the renewal of the 25-year licensing agreement as an opportunity to rein in criticism of the current president.

“We want to put an end to what we discovered to be highly abusive practices by ABS-CBN,” the solicitor general, Jose Calida, said in a statement. “A franchise is a special privilege granted by the state, and should be restricted only to entities which faithfully adhere to our constitution and laws.”

When the media giant refused to air Duterte's campaign commercials in 2016, the strongman said, “I will make sure that you will remember this episode of our times forever.” Calida denied that politics were behind the decision to file the petition.

SCREEN CAPTURE / TFC

The Filipino Channel covers Filipino American events such as the Parol Festival in San Francisco.

Calida alleges that the media company had issued Philippine Depositary Receipts to foreigners, raising questions about foreign ownership of the broadcast and print giant, which against the Philippine Constitution. The media corporation is owned by the prominent Lopez family of the Philippines.

“We did not violate the law. This case appears to be an attempt to deprive Filipinos of the services of ABS-CBN,” the company said in a statement.

Calida and Duterte used the same argument against Rappler, an online news site that has been critical of the Philippine president.

“These actions are part of a broader crackdown on media outlets and civil society groups that dare criticize him (Duterte),” lobby group Human Rights Watch said in a statement.

“This proves without a doubt that this government is hell bent on using all its powers to shut down the broadcasting network,” said the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines “We must not allow the vindictiveness of one man, no matter how powerful, to run roughshod over the constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of the press and of expression, and the people’s right to know.”

Thousands of supporters were joined by ABS-CBN personalities and employees in rallies in Manila and Bacolod City Friday evening urging the government to grant the franchise license.
ABS-CBN has produced a number of investigative reports highlighting extrajudicial executions and other human rights abuses committed as part of the government’s so-called “war on drugs” according to Amnesty International.

“It is unacceptable for the authorities to blatantly attempt to restrict freedom of expression and then expect people in the Philippines to simply remain silent," said Amnesty International’s Regional Director Nicholas Bequelin.

"If anything, the government’s continued efforts to undermine the press’s ability to report freely will only invite more criticism," he continued. "The government would do better by listening and addressing what is driving such criticism rather than resorting to legal theatrics to suppress human rights.”

SF human rights advocate fighting for his life after being shot in the Philippines

Brandon Lee is fighting for his life after being shot in the Philippines.

A San Francisco Chinese American was shot in the Philippines Aug. 6 in what friends and family believe was an attempted extrajudicial assassination attempt by gunmen aligned with the Philippine government.

Brandon Lee, 37, became interested in the Philippines while attending San Francisco State University where he was a member of the League of Filipino Students, according to KTVU. He moved to the Philippines ten yars ago to work as a paralegal and became an advocate for the Ifugaos, an indigenous people. in the mountains of in northern Luzon.

According to media reports, Lee was outside feeding his dog outside his home when the attack occurred. He was shot three times in the back and once in the face. His attackers escaped.

Lee's friends and family are worried that whoever shot him will make another attempt on his life. After being shot, he suffered a cardiac arrest and remains in critical condition, they say. His mother and brother are at his bedside.

His supporters are blaming Philippine government forces for the assassination attempt, and they want the U.S. government to do whatever it can to protect him.

"Initially, the U.S. embassy in the Philippines said they weren't going to do anything when the family contacted them directly. That's why we're pushing our congressional representatives to intervene," said Gordon Mar, a San Francisco supervisor. .

Local authorities have formed a task force and are seeking two unidentified suspects.

While in the Philippines, Lee married a Filipina with whom are raising their daughter. Relatives want protection for Lee's family.

Because of his work as a human rights advocate and as an environmentalist and worked with the Cordillera Human Rights Alliance and the Ifugao Peasant Movement, his friends say he has been harassed, surveilled and flyers were circulated describing him as "an enemy of the state."

The Philippines' political situation has changed since Lee moved to that country. In 2010, under then President Noynoy Aquino, human rights was a priority. Under President Rodrigo Duterte, who is often compared to Donald Trump. Duterte's administration has come under harsh criticism for human rights violations. Lee continued doing human rights work when the abuses and the extrajudicial killings by the military and vigilantes became more commonplace under Duterte.

Lee is the third peasant movement member to be attacked.

In 2014, William Bugatti, another paralegal officer, was killed after being tagged as a  communist rebel. Lee's predecessor, Ricardo Mayumi, was killed in March 2018.

“Even though his own life was in danger, it didn’t make a difference,” said Carlo Montemayor, a childhood friend told the San Francisco Chronicle.

Lee's friends, family and supporters have organized several fundraising events and created a gofundme to help Brandon and his family with medical and other expenses and established a Friends of Brandon Lee Facebook Page for updates about Lee's condition.

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Sunday Read: Legal battle between president Duterte and Maria Ressa’s Rappler shows the Philippines ‘dark reality’ and sends some fact-checkers to therapy

RAPPLER

Journalist Maria Ressa has drawn the ire of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

By Cristina Tardáguila

REPUBLISHED WITH PERMISSION OF POYNTER & THE IFCN

In the span of 14 months at least 11 complaints, investigations and court cases have been lodged by President Rodrigo Duterte’s government against Filipino media site Rappler and its CEO Maria Ressa.

From the official point of view, Rappler deserves to be judged for a long list of tax violations and a cyber libel case. In January 2018, the Filipino Securities and Exchange Commission even revoked the site’s license to operate, and the battle to recover it is an ongoing process.

From Rappler’s point of view, this situation deserves the world’s attention. For their staff, it shows the Philippines’ “dark reality: how law and bureaucracy can be mobilized to silence an independent institution.” For Ressa, it could also be considered a case study about how public spheres and democracies around the world are being destroyed.

LINK HERE to read the original article

Rappler is the largest journalist-controlled media corporation in the Philippines and also a verified signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network’s Code of Principles. In 2018, Time Magazine named Ressa Person of the Year for her work in the field of journalism. In April, she was included in the publication’s ranking of Most Influential People.

According to Glenda Gloria, Rappler’s managing editor, she often gets approached by people in restaurants offering to pay for her meals. “It’s the least we could do for you and Rappler,” they tell her.

In elevators, far from any sort of governmental scrutiny, Filipinos shake her hand and say, softly, “We support you, carry on.” Some people even approach her crying, imploring her to keep doing her work.

Ressa, Gloria and Gemma Mendoza, Rappler’s research and content strategist, all spoke with the IFCN about this legal battle and about how it is affecting their fact-checking unit.

Mendoza emphasized that the claims being made by Duterte are still being — and will always be — fact-checked. Rappler, however, has had to begin offering therapy for those employees who are struggling with a barrage of digital hate speech and threats.

Here is our Q&A with Ressa, Gloria and Mendoza:

If you had to explain the legal battle to a foreigner, what would you say?
Gloria: They reflect this dark reality: that the law and the bureaucracy can be mobilized to silence an independent institution, the only journalist-controlled media corporation in the Philippines. At least 11 complaints, investigations and court cases were lodged against Maria and Rappler by the Philippines’ regulatory, investigative and prosecutorial bodies in a span of 14 months. That is unprecedented even in the Philippine and Southeast Asian context.

The following government entities have investigated and filed cases against us: the Office of the Solicitor General(the “principal law officer and legal defender of government”), the Securities and Exchange Commission(which acted on the SolGen’s request to probe Rappler and whose vision is to be the “champion of investor protection”), the tax bureau (Bureau of Internal Revenue), the National Bureau of Investigation (the investigative arm of the Department of Justice, DOJ), and the DOJ itself.

No other Philippine business has been subjected to such simultaneous legal attacks in recent years, except those known to have swindled customers or stolen public funds — which Rappler certainly has not committed!

These cases have taken much of Maria’s and Rappler’s time and resources, which would have been better spent growing our journalism and our business model at a critical time of massive disruption. We have a constantly updated story containing pertinent details of all our cases.

Ressa: The government seems to want to retain a veneer of rule of law so we are going through a tough process. In more than two years of these politically motivated legal acrobatics, Rappler has only had one decision in its favor, quickly overturned a week later when the case was filed by the Department of Justice.

“Legal acrobatics” is an interesting expression. Can you further explain that?
Gloria: The cases against Maria and Rappler are part of a pattern — that of government investigators and prosecutors are experimenting with legal theories.

For example, in the cyber libel case, there is this theory of republication. They do this to fit a particular entity or person but only after a campaign of public vilification.

Aided by a social media army that targets the Duterte mass base, public officials create a “new normal” first to show that critics and independent voices have become state enemies.

The cyber libel trial has started. In what situation is Ressa now?
Gloria: The prosecution presented its first two witnesses last week. We expect the trial to wind down by the end of September — and possibly a verdict by the end of the year.

This week, the prosecution was supposed to present as its witness the former head of the National Bureau of Investigation’s cybercrime unit that first dismissed the cyber libel complaint against Maria, Rappler and our former reporter.

Perhaps they belatedly realized that he, in fact, dismissed it, so he was not presented at all. (Here’s the story on how the dismissal was overturned a week after)

Ressa is obviously an important person for Rappler’s organizational structure. Is she able to go to the newsroom and work regularly?
Gloria: When she’s not traveling, Maria is always, always in the newsroom.

When she’s traveling, she’s still in the newsroom — virtually. She’s a bundle of energy and positive vibes, that I always joke that I would truly want to take whatever she’s been taking.

Not to say she does not call us out. Eye on the ball on our strategic goals and roadmap to the future — that’s her.

Have you, at Rappler, done any poll or research to measure Ressa’s support among the Filipinos? How is society reacting to this case?
Gloria: How does one measure support under a climate of fear?

In an environment that allows the killing of at least 20,000 people in a drug war that sees no end? In a country led by a president who assures the police he’d protect them if ever they’re charged for these killings?

Under a government that allows its presidential spokesperson to present a “matrix” of destabilizers that lumps independent media organizations with lawyers and activists? In a landscape where an opposition female senator is jailed on trumped-up charges and another opposition senator is facing rebellion charges for which he was already amnestied, and the duly elected vice president is facing a complaint of sedition?

In an online environment polluted by propaganda, manipulated by fake news, and driven by an army of bots and trolls?

Right, right. But do you feel any support?

Gloria: One measures sentiment in intimate instances where state power and surveillance could not reach: in restaurants, where people approach Maria for photos and pay for her meals (it’s the least we could do for you and Rappler, they’d say); in elevators, where they shake her hand and say, softly, we support you, carry on; in courts, where lawyers trying other cases give their cards to say, if you need more pro bono lawyers, count us in; in public places outside Metro Manila where one woman comes up to her in tears — for her, for her country, she said; among students and teachers who closely monitor her and Rappler’s cases and do not doubt that it is a press freedom issue; etc.

Does this mean Rappler has everyone’s support? Certainly not. The technical and complex nature of the cases hurled against us (ie, taxes, foreign investment, cyber libel) gives room for questions — and we welcome them.

We truly wish we had enough time and resources to sit down with everyone to explain these issues. We are not saying we are above scrutiny or regulation or oversight.

We’re saying, we have conducted our journalism and our business ethically, legally, and with public interest in mind. When we commit errors, we not only apologize for them, we acknowledge them publicly.

All our corporate transactions are transparent, duly filed with all agencies concerned. We have never used the law to duck from responsibilities or obligations. That the cases lodged against us were based on our corporate filings is the best proof of our transparent processes as a business and as a media organization.

Ressa: It’s hard to gauge public reaction when exponential lies laced with anger and hate spread faster than facts.

They astroturf the government’s narrative and coordinated attacks against alternative views help create a bandwagon effect.

The end goal is to cripple any beliefs in institutions — journalists and newsgroups are systematically attacked — so there is no challenge to president Duterte’s powerful voice. This is a case study of how democracies around the world are being destroyed: without facts, you can’t have truth. Without truth, there is no trust.

Without these, there is no public sphere, no public discussion, only one narrative. Many questions have also been raised about statistical surveys in a climate of fear — the interviews are done in the homes of respondents, after all.

How does this legal battle affect Rappler’s fact-checking unit? Have you changed anything?

Mendoza: No. The cases have not affected our fact checking efforts.

We believe it is important that we keep fact-checking, and we will continue doing this. We did, however, heighten security protocols for our staff.

Therapy sessions are offered to those who need them. But we are fortunate to have attracted to our team young idealistic journalists who want to make a difference.

How much digital hate speech and threats does Rappler’s team get?
Mendoza: It’s really difficult to explain how much digital hate and threats the team gets. Suffice to say we stopped counting manually and have turned to big data analysis so we can have a record of what is happening and make sense of it.

We draw our strength from those who have taken to defending Rappler online.

What is the best and the worst scenario ahead for Rappler? How do you picture the future?
Gloria: The best scenario is happening now: that Rappler is able to survive all the attacks against it, that it is able to thrive in the way it tells the nation’s stories, that it is able to rethink the future as it continues to retool itself so that it can help shape — and not just be a witness to — the fast-changing, chaotic journalism and economic environment globally.

The worst-case for Rappler is when the Philippines completely runs out democratic space.

That’s the worst-case not just for Rappler but for all Filipinos. I see a future of pushbacks as far as that is concerned. Incremental steps of taking democracy — and our hard-won freedoms — back.

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Journalists, human rights activists condemn the arrest of Filipina editor

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Filipina journalist Maria Ressa answers reporters' questions after she was released.

Journalists around the world were troubled by the arrest of Philippine journalist Maria Ressa, executive editor and founder of critical news website Rappler.

Human rights groups were joined by journalists' organizations including the Asian American Journalists Association and the Committee to Protect Journalists.

"The arrest of Maria Ressa is an outrage," said CPJ Board Chair Kathleen Carroll. "The Philippines government needs to cease its multi-pronged attack on Rappler, its talented leader, and its brave staff."

Ressa was recently featured on the 2018 TIME Magazine’s Person of the Year cover and is a world-renowned advocate for press freedom.

“I’ve been a war zone correspondent, I’ve planned coverage when one side is shooting against the other side,” the 55-year old told TIME in New York a few days before she returned to the Philippines. “That is easy compared to what we’re dealing with now.”

Rappler has been critical in its coverage of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, whose administration has alarmed human rights advocates for corruption and a brutal drug war, and under which police and soldiers have suppressed press freedom and political participation. The particular charge refers to a 2012 story covering the then-Phillippine Supreme Court chief justice’s impeachment trial.

RELATED: 

• Free press under attack in the Philippines
• Philippines investigating the role of Facebook in elections
• Asian journalists are TIME's Persons of the Year

Rupert Colville, spokesperson of UN Rights chief Michelle Bachelet, relayed in a message that the arrest “appears to be the latest element in a pattern of intimidation of a media outlet that has fiercely guarded its independence and its right to conduct in-depth investigations and to criticize the authorities.”

Ressa was arrested on Feb. 13 and stayed the night at the National Bureau of Investigation after the Pasay City Regional Trial Court refused to process her bail. After posting bail the next day, she was released.

The board of directors of the CPJ passed the following resolution in support of Ressa, who posted bond and was released the next day.

"Freedom of the press is an essential pillar of democracy and human rights. The arrest in the Philippines of Maria Ressa, founder and executive editor of the news website Rappler, is an alarming development and spark memories of the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos. The first thing the Filipino strongman did was to seize the newspapers and television stations and arrested journalists.

"CPJ's board strongly condemns her arrest and calls on the government to immediately release Ressa, drop all charges against her and Rappler, restore official press credentials to Rappler's reporters, and cease its campaign of harassment."

The Asian American Journalists Association governing board released the following statement:

"The Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) is closely monitoring the judicial proceedings in the Philippines against long-time journalist and award-winning reporter Maria Ressa. Ressa is the CEO and founder of Rappler.com, 2018 Time Person of the Year and recent awardee of the Press Freedom Award by the Committee to Protect Journalists.

"AAJA calls on the government of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to provide fair, honest and due process to Maria Ressa after her early-December arrest linked to allegations of tax evasion, which she has denied.

"The support of press freedom in the U.S. and around the world, in addition to the support and respectful treatment of journalists who hold governments accountable for their actions, are inherent to AAJA's core principles and mission."

Ressa, a veteran editor and former CNN journalist, was arrested on charges of cyber libel for a story published in 2012 about local businessman Wilfredo Keng. The move is the latest in a series of attempts by the government to silence the critical news outlet, according to CPJ research.

CPJ honored Ressa with the 2018 Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award at its annual International Press Freedom Award ceremony in New York City in November. CPJ board member Sheila Coronel presented the award.

Amnesty International (AI) Philippines condemned Ressa’s arrest, calling it “brazenly politically motivated” and urged Philippine authorities to end the harassment, drop the charges, and repeal the “repressive law.”

“In a country where justice takes years to obtain, we see the charges against Maria Ressa railroaded, and the law being used to relentlessly intimidate and harass journalists for doing their jobs as truth-tellers,” AI said.

Human Rights Watch said the political attacks on Rappler demand a global response. “Governments concerned about the thousands killed in the ‘drug war’ and the media’s ability to report on this and other abuses need to publicly demand Ressa’s release and the dropping of all charges.”
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Free press is under attack in the Philippines

MAY 3rd was World Press Freedom Day.  In order for democracy to work, it is important to remind people about the role of a free press in a democracy: to inform the citizenry, to question the powerful and ensure government is working for the people.

One of the first things Philippine strong man Rodrigo Duterte did when he took office almost two years ago was to attack one of the strongest, free-wheeling  and aggressive media in Asia, if not in the world.

"Just because you're a journalist you are not exempted from assassination, if you're a son of a bitch," Duterte said when asked how he would address the problem of media killings in the Philippines. Duterte is not known for his subtlety.

At least 85 cases of attacks and threats against the press during the first 22 months of Duterte’s administration, according to a report released by the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), Philippine Press Institute (PPI), and Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) during the presentation on the current situation of Philippine press at the “Speak Truth to Power, Keep Power in Check” forum in Quezon City on World Press Freedom Day.

Since Duterte became president, attacks on members of the media have inicreased. The attacks include 9 murders, 16 libel cases, 14 cases of online harassment, 11 death threats, 6 slay attempts, 6 cases of harassment, 5 cases of intimidation, 4 cases of website attacks, revoked registration or denied franchise renewal, verbal abuse, strafing, and police surveillance of journalists and media agencies.

Nne journalists have been killed during Duterte's term, thus far. They were killed in the course of their work, or because of their work. The list does not include journalists who were killed for other reasons.

1. Larry Que, publisher and columnist, Catanduanes News Now
2. Leodoro Diaz, tabloid columnist, Sapol
3. Marlon Muyco, radio journalist, dxNDRadyoBida
4. Rudy Alicaway, radio journalist, dxPB
5. Edmund Sestoso, broadcaster and former chairman of NUJP, dGB 91.7 FM
6. Mario Cantaoi, radio journalist, dzNS
7. Christopher Lozada, radio journalist, dxBF
8. Joaquin Briones, columnist, Remate
9. Apolinario Suan Jr, radio journalist, Real FM

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte
clamps down on critical media.

The Philippines is one of the world's deadliest countries for journalists according to report from Reporters Without Borders.

The following is a pooled editorial of the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, and the Philippine Press Institute published in Rappler.

* * *

Rodrigo R. Duterte’s presidency has altered and controlled the public discourse so radically in its favor in ways rude and bold. One tragic result: it has restricted and narrowed the celebrated freedom of the Philippine press and the people’s cherished right to know.

In his first 22 months in power, Mr Duterte has earned the dubious honor of logging 85 various cases of attacks and threats on these dual values that the Constitution upholds as inalienable rights of the citizens. The number far exceeds those recorded under 4 presidents before him.

Separately and together, these 85 cases have made the practice of journalism an even more dangerous endeavor under Duterte.

From June 30, 2016 to May 1, 2018, these cases include the killing of 9 journalists, 16 libel cases, 14 cases of online harassment, 11 death threats, 6 slay attempts, 6 cases of harassment, 5 cases of intimidation, 4 cases of website attack, revoked registration or denied franchise renewal, verbal abuse, strafing, and police surveillance of journalists and media agencies.

These cases project the force of presidential power dominating the political sphere, with zealous support from Duterte allies and appointees, and their sponsored disinformation army online and off. They have hurled at members of the press insults and unfair labels, and allegations of corruption and misconduct without firm basis in fact or in law.

These cases linger amid effete efforts at solution by state agencies, and in the context of the hostile and vicious discourse against the administration's critics and the critical media.

RELATED: Philippines investigate role of Cambridge Analytica with Duterte's 'popularity'

The President, Cabinet members, and the House of Representatives have imposed and proposed unprecedented restrictions on journalist access to official news events. Congress and executive agencies have denied or delayed the corporate registration or franchises required for operation of media companies.

Some journalists and media groups have also reported police surveillance of their movement and their places of work.

Attacks on press freedom diminish not just the news media. These weaken the capacity of the news media to sustain the people’s unfettered exchange of ideas about public issues. Presidential intolerance of criticism is now a well-established aspect of Duterte’s leadership. While he is not the only chief executive who has become sensitive to press criticism, Duterte has made sure that everyone understands that misfortunes could hound and befall his critics.

And yet Duterte had promised change; his government should thus tell the people when and where change has come to fruition, and whether it has triggered better or worse results. By keeping citizens and voters fully informed about what and how those they have raised to power are doing right or wrong, a free press sustains and strengthens democracy.

That is not quite the situation under Duterte as yet. Intimidated, restrained, and threatened with consequences, the news media have been significantly constrained to report well and fully on the war on drugs, the siege of Marawi, cases of alleged corruption in high office, questions about the wealth of the Duterte family, the public debate on Charter change and federalism, the shutdown of Boracay, and not the least significant, the incursions of China in the West Philippine Sea.

Rodrigo R. Duterte has brandished the power of fear. His threats and attacks bear the full weight of his office, the highest in the land. No need to test constitutional limits. All he seems to want to do is to make enough journalists understand that they should be very afraid.

But, like fear, courage could be contagious. And unlike fear that disempowers, courage built on the power of truth and the unity of all in media is a force that empowers.

To stand firm and to stand united for press freedom and democracy, to speak truth to power and to keep power in check – this much the press owes the people. And whoever is president, the paramount duty of a free press in a democracy is to defend and uphold the people's right to know, with unqualified courage and unity.

* * *

Using the power of his office, Duterte has come down hard on the news outlet Rappler, which has bravely endured the wrath of the president and the biggest newspaper in the Philippines, The Daily Inquirer. Both outlets are still feeling the pressure but it is the smaller Rappler that has been most affected by Duterte's efforts to silent his critics.

Since February, the government has blacklisted Rappler reporters from covering Malacanang Palace. In March, the governmentcharged Rappler with tax evasion and libel. An ongoing Philippines Securities and Exchange Commission investigation of the new outlet's ownership structure could result in the outlet’s closure.
Through the numerous attacks, the courageous staff of Rappler continues to write the truth, question the powerful and make the  authorities accountable. Rappler is appealing to its readers:

When Power insists, "you're either with us or against us," the space for a diversity of voices and ideas shrinks. 

When hate and anger are weaponized, it creates a spiral of silence. 

When critical questions are simplistically equated with an anti-government agenda, it requires courage to hold decision-makers accountable. 

We launched Rappler in 2012 to marry the highest standards of journalism with technology to strengthen Philippine democracy. 

We don't want to just give you the news; we aim to promote critical thinking, self-reflection, and empathy to encourage informed decision-making. 

Help us stay free and independent of political pressure.

If you want to help press freedom in the Philippines, click here.

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