One of the most prominent journalists in the Philippines has been convicted of ‘cyberlibel’ in a court process condemned by human rights groups. Journalist Carmela Fonbuena in Manila describes the chilling effect the verdict has had on free expression
Maria Ressa is one of the most prominent journalists in the Philippines with decades of experience in print and TV reporting. She is also executive editor of Rappler, an online news site.
In June she was convicted in a criminal court of the recently created offence of ‘cyberlibel’ over an article published in 2012 – before the law had come into effect. The article had subsequently been updated to correct a spelling error, allowing prosecutors to argue it had been republished.
Continue reading…One of the most prominent journalists in the Philippines has been convicted of ‘cyberlibel’ in a court process condemned by human rights groups. Journalist Carmela Fonbuena in Manila describes the chilling effect the verdict has had on free expression Maria Ressa is one of the most prominent journalists in the Philippines with decades of experience in print and TV reporting. She is also executive editor of Rappler, an online news site. In June she was convicted in a criminal court of the recently created offence of ‘cyberlibel’ over an article published in 2012 – before the law had come into effect. The article had subsequently been updated to correct a spelling error, allowing prosecutors to argue it had been republished. Continue reading…