Maria Ressa and Reynaldo Santos of Rappler (Philippine News) convicted of Libel

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

https://www.npr.org/2020/06/15/8769...essa-found-guilty-of-violating-cyberlibel-law

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-53046052

These two staff members of Rappler have been convicted by a Philippine court of Libel and there are issues over freedom of speech in the country.

What was she accused of?
The case relates to an eight-year-old Rappler story alleging businessman Wilfredo Keng had links to illegal drugs and human trafficking. It also said he lent his car to a top judge.

The article was written by former Rappler journalist Reynaldo Santos Jr who on Monday was found guilty alongside Ressa.

The prosecution came under a "cyber-libel" law which came into force in September 2012 - four months after Rappler published the article.

But prosecutors said a correction to the story in 2014 - to fix a "typo" - meant the article was republished after the law had come into effect.

The judge on Monday said Rappler offered no proof to back up its allegations against Mr Keng.

Judge Rainelda Montea added that her verdict was based on evidence presented to the court - adding that freedom of the press "cannot be used as a shield" against libel.

While the 2012 law mainly targets cyber-crime, it was criticised at the time for threatening online freedom of expression and data security.

This comes a month after ABS-CBN Inc had their Radio/TV license revoked by the president of the Philippines over political reasons.