(c) Nikkei Asia
Duterte and the allegedly murderous drug campaign he unleashed in 2016 have drawn Ressa’s ire, and she and Rappler have been subjected to a slew of legal proceedings, investigations, and online threats since she began speaking out.
The Securities and Exchange Commission of the Philippines (SEC) has struck again (SEC).
Rappler’s “certificates of incorporation” were revoked for breaking “constitutional and statutory prohibitions on foreign ownership in mass media,” according to a statement released on Wednesday.
After the verdict was announced, Rappler said that it “essentially confirmed” the company’s shutdown and that it would appeal, calling the processes “very unusual.”
The executive editor and co-founder of the site, Glenda Gloria, told reporters that Rappler had discussed “all possible eventualities” with its workers since the SEC issued its initial order in 2018.
A “kill” command can never be adequately prepared for, as the saying goes, “nothing ever.”
Due to a constitutional ban on foreign ownership and tax avoidance by Duterte’s regime, Rappler has had to fight for its survival.
Rappler was created in 2012, the same year that a new criminal statute against online libel went into effect.
Over a story regarding one of his most trusted lieutenants, Duterte called the website “fake news” and referred to it as such by name.
Through its parent Rappler Holdings issuing “depositary receipts,” the news portal is accused of allowing outsiders to take over its website.
Investment in the media is reserved for Filipinos or Filipino-owned businesses under the constitution.
From the Omidyar Network, which was founded by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar, springs the case in 2015.
Rappler’s money was then shifted to the local administrators by Omidyar to thwart Duterte’s attempts at shutting it down.
“Freedom of expression” was the theme of the Nobel Peace Prize granted to Ressa and Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov in October.
An appeal against her conviction for cyber-libel carries a maximum sentence of six years. Ressa is currently on bail and faces up to six years in prison.
It has been requested that the Philippine government reverse its decision to shut down Rappler by the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ).
“Rappler’s time, money, and energy are being wasted as a result of this legal harassment. It makes it possible for internet violence to continue unabated and proliferate in order to discourage independent reporting,” a message on Twitter, the International Crisis Group (ICFJ) said.
It was announced on Thursday that Duterte’s successor will be the son of the country’s former dictator, who presided over horrific human rights violations and corruption.
It is feared by human rights and free speech advocates that Marcos Jr.’s presidency will have a negative impact on these issues.
The future of Malaysia job market 2025-26 has high opportunities of the skilled professionals who are willing to extend their…
Mexico has accepted a new wave of steep tariffs on Chinese and other foreign goods, which is a big change…
Japan has a rapidly growing population with in excess of 28 per cent of its citizens being over the age…
With this clean-energy move, Malaysia has thus made a historic breakthrough as it is witnessed with the opening of the…
Sumatra, which has a lot of different kinds of plants and animals and is famous for its beautiful jungles and…
Sri Lanka's famous tea-growing area was devastated when Cyclone Ditwah went through the central highlands, destroying farms and forcing thousands…
This website uses cookies.
Read More