Maria Ressa, a veteran journalist and Nobel laureate, and her news organization, Rappler, have been acquitted of tax evasion charges in the Philippines. The charges were widely considered politically motivated and part of a pattern of harassment against Ressa and her publication. Ressa and Rappler have been at the forefront of the fight for press freedom in the Philippines and the acquittal is seen as a victory for freedom of the press in the country.
Background
Ressa, the founder and CEO of news outlet Rappler, was awarded the Nobel peace prize in 2021 for her work to “safeguard freedom of expression” and was praised for exposing abuses of power and growing authoritarianism under then Philippine president, Rodrigo Duterte. Since its inception, Rappler has covered contentious topics such as the abuse of power by Duterte, the “war on drugs” and his supporters’ use of social media to spread misinformation.
The Tax Evasion Charges
The case against Ressa and Rappler alleged that the news organization had failed to include proceeds of a 2015 sale of depositary receipts to foreign investors in its tax returns. Ressa has described the charges as politically motivated and part of a pattern of harassment against her and her publication.
Reaction to the Acquittal
Speaking to the press after the verdict, an emotional Ressa said, “These cases are where capital markets, rule of law, [and] where press freedom meet so this acquittal is not just for Rappler, it’s for every Filipino who has ever been unjustly accused,” she said. “Today, facts win, truth wins, justice wins.” Rappler welcomed the court decision as “the triumph of facts over politics.”
The Philippines justice department said it respected the decision of the court. Ressa and her supporters believe that these charges were politically motivated and designed to stop journalists from doing their jobs.
Press Freedom in the Philippines
The acquittal of Ressa and Rappler is a victory for freedom of the press in the Philippines. The media landscape in the country has been dominated by “bad news, despair, and fear”, with journalists often working under threat of harassment, arrest, and even death.
The case has been closely watched by the international community and press freedom groups. Carlos H Conde, a senior Philippines researcher at Human Rights Watch said, “The acquittal is clearly welcome news and a boon for press freedom in the Philippines,” “Since Duterte targeted her and Rappler for their reporting on the ‘drug war’, Maria has become an icon for independent, fierce journalism”.
Ressa and Rappler still face three more legal cases, including a separate tax case filed by prosecutors in another court, Ressa’s supreme court appeal on an online libel conviction, and Rappler’s appeal against the closure order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission. But, Ressa remains optimistic and said “We keep going,” when asked about the other cases.
