Pretty Good Podcast Episode 2: Cyber libel and press freedom in the Philippines

The second episode of Pretty Good Podcast delves deeper into the Philippine court cyber libel ruling against journalists Maria Ressa and Reynaldo Santos Jr. of Rappler, a Philippine news organisation known to be critical of incumbent President Rodrigo Duterte. We ask John Nery, a columnist for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and co-founder of the Consortium on Democracy and Disinformation: What does this case mean for press freedom, and what are the wider implications of this ruling for freedom of expression online?

The episode also features interviews with Filipinos who participated in a physical protest against the pending Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, which has received criticism for its vague provisions on what constitutes as terrorism and that can target critical activists, journalists, and members of civil society.

Listen to the Podcast:

Watch the Podcast:

Relevant Links:

Context: EngageMedia’s action briefers on Philippine issues
- The conviction of Maria Ressa: weaponising cyber libel to suppress freedom of speech
- Opposing the PH Anti-Terrorism Bill and dissent as terrorism: Context and Campaigns
“The Trial of Maria Ressa et al“: Online forum hosted by the Consortium on Democracy and Disinformation. The forum began an hour before the decision was handed down, and continued till after the verdict to give context to the implications of the decision
“A nauseous verdict, an ignorant judge“: John Nery’s column on the decision
- “First they came for the journalists“: Philippine Daily Inquirer editorial on the attacks vs Maria Ressa
“KAYANG I-GOOGLE ‘to, Your Honor (This can be Googled, Your Honor)“: Statement of the Consortium on Democracy and Disinformation on the ruling against Maria Ressa and Reynaldo Santos Jr.
Full text of the decision by the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 46