Manila frees journalist on bail after outcry on press freedom

The head of a Philippine news website that has locked horns with President Rodrigo Duterte was freed on bail a day after her widely condemned arrest on libel charges that critics say is a government effort to bully journalists.

Maria Ressa, the award-winning head of news platform Rappler, was served a warrant live on television at her office on Wednesday for what media watchdogs said were trumped-up charges aimed at intimidating those who had challenged Duterte’s rule.

“For me it’s about two things – abuse of power and weaponisation of the law,” Ressa said in a special press conference in the city on Friday night.

“You have to express outrage and do it now. Press freedom is not just about journalists ... Press freedom is the foundation of every single right of every Filipino to the truth,” she told reporters.

Ressa, who posted a bail worth 100,000 pesos (RM7,790), is accused of cyber libel over a 2012 Rappler article, which was updated in 2014, that linked a Filipino businessman to murder, human trafficking and drug smuggling. Rappler cited information contained in a 2002 intelligence report but did not say which agency compiled it.

The businessman’s lawyer says the information was wrong, the article was defamatory and that his client wants to clear his name.

A spokesman for the US State Department emphasised the impor- tance of freedom of expression and called Ressa “a highly respected and experienced journalist”.

“We hope these charges will be resolved quickly, in a way that fully respects the freedom of the press, allows Ms Ressa and Rappler to continue to operate freely, and is consistent with the Philippines’ tradition of a free and independent press,” the spokesman said.

Duterte has made no secret of his annoyance at Rappler and has sparred frequently with its repor- ters, who are known for scrutinising his policies and his appointments and for questioning the accuracy of his sweeping, often bellicose statements.

Rappler’s reporting has accused his administration of creating a social media “ecosystem” designed to defend Duterte, threaten and discredit his opponents, and discourage Filipinos from criticising him for fear of being attacked by online trolls.

The government denies the accusations.