In a significant legal triumph for renowned Filipino journalist Maria Ressa and her news platform, Rappler, a trial court handed down an acquittal on tax fraud charges.

This marks yet another victory for the journalist who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021, alongside a Russian counterpart. Ressa, who serves as the head of Rappler, has earned widespread acclaim for the relentless scrutiny her platform directed towards former President Rodrigo Duterte's controversial war on drugs.

Following the announcement of the verdict, Ressa expressed her satisfaction with the court's decision, affirming that she felt "good" about the outcome, reported Reuters.

Notably, this acquittal had been anticipated, as Ressa had previously been cleared of similar tax-related charges approximately nine months earlier.

These charges originally stemmed from a 2018 government indictment that accused Ressa and Rappler of evading tax payments. This evasion was allegedly a result of their failure to declare the proceeds from a 2015 sale of depositary receipts to foreign investors.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/asean-summit-diplomacy-issues-decisions-and-prospects-634484">ASEAN Summit diplomacy: Issues, decisions and prospects &nbsp;</a>

<h2>Her ongoing struggles</h2>

At the age of 59, Maria Ressa has remained steadfast in her pursuit of journalistic truth.

Her legal battles extend beyond tax fraud, with a 2020 conviction for cyber libel in one of several cases brought against Rappler by government agencies.

Throughout these trials, Ressa has consistently asserted that these legal actions were politically motivated. Importantly, despite being in office for over a year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has pledged to refrain from interfering in the ongoing court proceedings against Rappler.

Despite these legal challenges, Rappler continues to operate unabated, pending its appeal against a closure order issued by the securities regulator.&nbsp;

Also watch |&nbsp;US military in talks to build port on Batanes Island in Philippines

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<h2>Press freedom in the Philippines: A complex landscape</h2>

The World Press Freedom Index ranks the Philippines 132nd out of 180 countries.

This ranking reflects the country's media landscape as "extremely vibrant despite the government's targeted attacks and constant harassment" against journalists who are deemed "too critical".

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

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In a significant legal triumph for renowned Filipino journalist Maria Ressa and her news platform, Rappler, a trial court handed down an acquittal on tax fraud charges.

In a significant legal triumph for renowned Filipino journalist Maria Ressa and her news platform, Rappler, a trial court handed down an acquittal on tax fraud charges. This marks yet another victory for the journalist who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021, alongside a Russian counterpart. Ressa, who serves as the head of Rappler, has earned widespread acclaim for the relentless scrutiny her platform directed towards former President Rodrigo Duterte's controversial war on drugs. Following the announcement of the verdict, Ressa expressed her satisfaction with the court's decision, affirming that she felt "good" about the outcome, reported Reuters. Notably, this acquittal had been anticipated, as Ressa had previously been cleared of similar tax-related charges approximately nine months earlier. These charges originally stemmed from a 2018 government indictment that accused Ressa and Rappler of evading tax payments. This evasion was allegedly a result of their failure to declare the proceeds from a 2015 sale of depositary receipts to foreign investors. Also read | ASEAN Summit diplomacy: Issues, decisions and prospects Her ongoing struggles At the age of 59, Maria Ressa has remained steadfast in her pursuit of journalistic truth. Her legal battles extend beyond tax fraud, with a 2020 conviction for cyber libel in one of several cases brought against Rappler by government agencies. Throughout these trials, Ressa has consistently asserted that these legal actions were politically motivated. Importantly, despite being in office for over a year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has pledged to refrain from interfering in the ongoing court proceedings against Rappler. Despite these legal challenges, Rappler continues to operate unabated, pending its appeal against a closure order issued by the securities regulator. Also watch | US military in talks to build port on Batanes Island in Philippines Press freedom in the Philippines: A complex landscape The World Press Freedom Index ranks the Philippines 132nd out of 180 countries. This ranking reflects the country's media landscape as "extremely vibrant despite the government's targeted attacks and constant harassment" against journalists who are deemed "too critical". (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Nobel laureate Maria Ressa acquitted of tax fraud in Philippines

Maria Ressa, a co-founder of the online news outlet Rappler and a recipient of the Nobel Prize, has won another judicial success in her fight against numerous accusations brought against her under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte by being cleared of a tax evasion allegation in the Philippines.

Nobel laureate Maria Ressa acquitted in Philippines tax evasion case

Nobel Peace Prize winner and Filippino-American journalist Maria Ressa has compared Facebook's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Zuckerberg to a dictator. Speaking to the BBC last Saturday (May 27), Ressa said that Facebook is a threat to democracy and that social media users are handcuffed to it.

Nobel Peace Prize winner and Filippino-American journalist Maria Ressa has compared Facebook's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Zuckerberg to a dictator. Speaking to the BBC last Saturday (May 27), Ressa said that Facebook is a threat to democracy and that social media users are handcuffed to it. "The rise of the former Philippine president Duterte, illiberal leaders, and the destruction of our institutions within six months, was hand in hand with the power of Facebook." Talking about her book "How to stand up to a Dictator", which was published last year, Ressa asked, "Which dictator am I talking about? Who has greater power? (former) president Duterte in the Philippines or Mark Zuckerberg in Facebook?" ALSO READ | Explained: EU fines Facebook parent company Meta record $1.3 billion over data transfer to US Ressa pointed out that 100 per cent of Filipinos on the internet are on Facebook. "Facebook is our internet. So the decisions of these tech giants, the CEOs of these companies determine what our world is," she added. Ressa also mentioned a 2018 study done by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) which said that false news travel faster than true stories. Nobel Peace Prize winner has been critical of Facebook Maria Ressa won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021. She is the co-founder of Rappler- the Philippines' biggest independent news outlet. Ressa has criticised Facebook in the past and said the social media giant was "biased against facts." In 2016, Ressa contacted Facebook with details concerning the rampant threats targeted via Facebook at people, predominantly women in the Philippines who were critical of the drug war waged by then-president Rodrigo Duterte, according to a report by Vox. A year later, she met Mark Zuckerberg and said that 97 per cent of Filipinos are on Facebook. She invited the Facebook CEO to come to the Philippines to "understand the impact" of this. "Oh well. What are the other 3 per cent doing, Maria?” Zuckerberg replied. In February this year, Ressa urged users to stay on Facebook, "despite all its problems with disinformation." “If good people leave Facebook, what happens to the rest of the people on Facebook? If people who want facts leave social media, what happens to the people who stay on social media? That includes our younger generation…. I’ll give you a quick answer – I don’t believe you should [quit Facebook],” Ressa said during a book signing event on February 16. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Facebook a threat to democracy: Nobel Peace Prize winner compares Zuckerberg to 'dictator', says report

Nobel Peace Laureate Maria Ressa has been acquitted of tax evasion charges. The Philippine Tax Court ruled that prosecutors failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Ressa and her online news website Rappler had evaded income tax.

Nobel Laureate Maria Ressa acquitted of tax evasion by Philippine tax court

A court on Wednesday acquitted Philippine Nobel Prize winner Maria Ressa and her media outlet Rappler of tax evasion charges. Ressa, who had&nbsp;pleaded not guilty, while speaking to reporters outside the court in Manilla said, "Today, facts win, truth wins, justice wins." She claimed these charges were politically motivated, Reuters reported.&nbsp;

Following the&nbsp;verdict, the 59-year-old Filipino-American journalist described&nbsp;the ruling&nbsp;as a win for justice and truth, and said, "this acquittal is not just for Rappler it is for every Filipino who has ever been unjustly accused." She added, "these charges... were politically motivated... a&nbsp;brazen abuse of power."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/philippines-journalist-percival-mabasa-shot-dead-sparks-outrage-among-people-522653">Also read |&nbsp;Philippines: Journalist Percival Mabasa shot dead; murder sparks public outrage</a>

The tax evasion case was filed following accusations by the state revenue agency, which claimed that Rappler, from its tax returns proceeds of 2015 omitted the sale of depository receipts to foreign investors. This further became the base for revoking the media outlet's licence.&nbsp;

Ressa has been engulfed in legal battles for years and she claimed that she had been targeted for her critical news reports on former president&nbsp;Duterte and his deadly war on drugs.

Duterte. These cases have stoked international concerns over media harassment in the Philippines, which is touted as one of the most dangerous places for journalists in Asia.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hold-the-line-philippines-maria-ressa-fights-for-press-freedom-495654">Also read |&nbsp;'Hold the line': Philippines' Maria&nbsp;Ressa fights for press freedom</a>

The veteran journalist is currently on bail as she appeals a six-year prison sentence handed down in 2020 over a libel conviction.&nbsp;

The Asian country stands at 147th place out of 180 countries as per the 2022 World Press Freedom Index, and the Committee to Protect Journalists ranks the Philippines seventh in 2021 in its impunity index.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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A court on Wednesday acquitted Philippine Nobel Prize winner Maria Ressa and her media outlet Rappler of tax evasion charges. Ressa, who had pleaded not guilty, while speaking to reporters outside the court in Manilla said, "Today, facts win, truth wins, justice wins.

A court on Wednesday acquitted Philippine Nobel Prize winner Maria Ressa and her media outlet Rappler of tax evasion charges. Ressa, who had pleaded not guilty, while speaking to reporters outside the court in Manilla said, "Today, facts win, truth wins, justice wins." She claimed these charges were politically motivated, Reuters reported. Following the verdict, the 59-year-old Filipino-American journalist described the ruling as a win for justice and truth, and said, "this acquittal is not just for Rappler it is for every Filipino who has ever been unjustly accused." She added, "these charges... were politically motivated... a brazen abuse of power." Also read | Philippines: Journalist Percival Mabasa shot dead; murder sparks public outrage The tax evasion case was filed following accusations by the state revenue agency, which claimed that Rappler, from its tax returns proceeds of 2015 omitted the sale of depository receipts to foreign investors. This further became the base for revoking the media outlet's licence. Ressa has been engulfed in legal battles for years and she claimed that she had been targeted for her critical news reports on former president Duterte and his deadly war on drugs. Duterte. These cases have stoked international concerns over media harassment in the Philippines, which is touted as one of the most dangerous places for journalists in Asia. Also read | 'Hold the line': Philippines' Maria Ressa fights for press freedom The veteran journalist is currently on bail as she appeals a six-year prison sentence handed down in 2020 over a libel conviction. The Asian country stands at 147th place out of 180 countries as per the 2022 World Press Freedom Index, and the Committee to Protect Journalists ranks the Philippines seventh in 2021 in its impunity index. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

'Today truth wins': Philippines' Nobel Prize winner Maria Ressa cleared of tax evasion

The two journalists awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Maria Ressa and Dmitri A. Muratov, used their acceptance speeches Friday to express alarm about the threats to democracies and call for greater accountability for social media companies that Ressa said are dividing and radicalizing societies.

The speeches by the two journalists contained dire warnings that the world is headed toward more violence and misery without a renewed commitment to democracy and the values connected to it: truth, peace and human rights.

Ressa, 58, the first Nobel laureate from the Philippines, is the chief executive of Rappler, a digital news organization that is known for its investigations into President Rodrigo Duterte’s brutal five-year war on drugs. In her speech, she said social media companies still operated with impunity.

“Silicon Valley’s sins came home to roost in the United States on Jan. 6 with mob violence on Capitol Hill,” she said.

“These American companies controlling our global information ecosystem are biased against facts, biased against journalists,” she said. “They are — by design — dividing us and radicalizing us.”

Muratov, 60, has been the editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta, Russia’s most fearless national newspaper, for more than 25 years.

He made an impassioned plea against an escalation of violence, condemning the “militaristic rhetoric” prevalent in Russian state controlled media.

His remarks — coming as Russia has massed nearly 100,000 troops across Ukraine’s borders, raising concerns of an invasion — were meant to serve as an urgent warning.

“The powerful actively promote the idea of war,” he said. “Aggressive marketing of war affects people and they start thinking that war is acceptable.”

At the same time, he said, the ideas of liberal democracy are under threat.

“The world has fallen out of love with democracy,” Muratov lamented in his speech. “The world has become disappointed with the elites in power. The world has begun to turn to dictatorship.”

Ressa has long been an outspoken critic of the authoritarian leader in her homeland, Duterte, whose government has filed seven criminal charges against her, including for cyber libel and tax evasion. She also has been critical of social networks for spreading disinformation and hatred.

“Our greatest need today is to transform that hate and violence, the toxic sludge that’s coursing through our information ecosystem, prioritized by American internet companies that make more money by spreading that hate and triggering the worst in us,” Ressa said in her speech.

Since it started in January 2012, Rappler has become one of the Philippines’ most popular and influential media platforms, mixing reporting with calls for social activism. Rappler’s reporters, most of whom are in their 20s, have investigated Duterte’s extrajudicial campaign to kill people suspected of dealing or using drugs, documented the spread of government disinformation on Facebook and reported on malfeasance among his top advisers.

Muratov has dedicated the prize to his slain colleagues at Novaya Gazeta. Six of the paper’s journalists or contributors died under his watch, including Anna Politkovskaya, whose 2006 murder in the elevator of her apartment block has never been solved. When the award was announced, he also said that opposition politician Alexei Navalny, who was poisoned last year and has been in jail since January, deserved to have received it.

Muratov is the third Russian to win the Nobel Peace Prize, after the Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and the physicist and dissident Andrei D. Sakharov, who won in 1975 for his human rights advocacy.

He waded directly into the issue that has gripped leaders across the Western world in recent weeks: the threat of a military conflagration in the heart of Europe.

“In the heads of some crazy geopoliticians, a war between Russia and Ukraine is not something impossible any longer,” he warned. “But I know that wars end with identifying soldiers and exchanging prisoners,” he said, referencing his newspaper’s role in identifying soldiers and exchanging prisoners during the Chechen war.

He also spoke about political repression and torture in contemporary Russia.

“We hear more and more often about torture of convicts and detainees,” he said. “People are being tortured to the breaking point, to make the prison sentence even more brutal. This is barbaric.”

He said he would present an initiative to set up “an international tribunal against torture, which will have the task to gather information on torture in different parts of the world and different countries, and to identify the executioners and the authorities involved in such crimes.”

Ressa and Muratov were the first journalists to receive the Nobel Peace Prize since 1935, when it was awarded to Carl von Ossietzky, a German who was afterward detained in a Nazi concentration camp and later died.

“By giving this to journalists today, the Nobel committee is signaling a similar historical moment, another existential point for democracy,” Ressa declared. “We’re at a sliding-door moment, where we can continue down the path we’re on and descend further into fascism, or we can each choose to fight for a better world.”

In both laureates’ home countries, the climate for independent journalism is dire.

In 2020, a global survey of press freedoms by Reporters Without Borders ranked the Philippines 138th out of 180 countries. Russia was 150th.

After Ressa arrived in Oslo to attend the Nobel ceremony, she heard the news that a former colleague, Jesus Yutrago Malabanan, a prominent Philippine reporter who had investigated Duterte’s drug war, had been shot in the head and killed.

Ressa, in her remarks, said she spoke as a “representative of every journalist around the world who is forced to sacrifice so much to hold the line, to stay true to our values and mission: to bring you the truth and hold power to account.”

She called on the audience to ask themselves “What are you willing to sacrifice for the truth?” 
&nbsp;

The two journalists awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Maria Ressa and Dmitri A. Muratov, used their acceptance speeches Friday to express alarm about the threats to democracies and call for greater accountability for social media companies that Ressa said are dividing and radicalizing societies.

The two journalists awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Maria Ressa and Dmitri A. Muratov, used their acceptance speeches Friday to express alarm about the threats to democracies and call for greater accountability for social media companies that Ressa said are dividing and radicalizing societies. The speeches by the two journalists contained dire warnings that the world is headed toward more violence and misery without a renewed commitment to democracy and the values connected to it: truth, peace and human rights. Ressa, 58, the first Nobel laureate from the Philippines, is the chief executive of Rappler, a digital news organization that is known for its investigations into President Rodrigo Duterte’s brutal five-year war on drugs. In her speech, she said social media companies still operated with impunity. “Silicon Valley’s sins came home to roost in the United States on Jan. 6 with mob violence on Capitol Hill,” she said. “These American companies controlling our global information ecosystem are biased against facts, biased against journalists,” she said. “They are — by design — dividing us and radicalizing us.” Muratov, 60, has been the editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta, Russia’s most fearless national newspaper, for more than 25 years. He made an impassioned plea against an escalation of violence, condemning the “militaristic rhetoric” prevalent in Russian state controlled media. His remarks — coming as Russia has massed nearly 100,000 troops across Ukraine’s borders, raising concerns of an invasion — were meant to serve as an urgent warning. “The powerful actively promote the idea of war,” he said. “Aggressive marketing of war affects people and they start thinking that war is acceptable.” At the same time, he said, the ideas of liberal democracy are under threat. “The world has fallen out of love with democracy,” Muratov lamented in his speech. “The world has become disappointed with the elites in power. The world has begun to turn to dictatorship.” Ressa has long been an outspoken critic of the authoritarian leader in her homeland, Duterte, whose government has filed seven criminal charges against her, including for cyber libel and tax evasion. She also has been critical of social networks for spreading disinformation and hatred. “Our greatest need today is to transform that hate and violence, the toxic sludge that’s coursing through our information ecosystem, prioritized by American internet companies that make more money by spreading that hate and triggering the worst in us,” Ressa said in her speech. Since it started in January 2012, Rappler has become one of the Philippines’ most popular and influential media platforms, mixing reporting with calls for social activism. Rappler’s reporters, most of whom are in their 20s, have investigated Duterte’s extrajudicial campaign to kill people suspected of dealing or using drugs, documented the spread of government disinformation on Facebook and reported on malfeasance among his top advisers. Muratov has dedicated the prize to his slain colleagues at Novaya Gazeta. Six of the paper’s journalists or contributors died under his watch, including Anna Politkovskaya, whose 2006 murder in the elevator of her apartment block has never been solved. When the award was announced, he also said that opposition politician Alexei Navalny, who was poisoned last year and has been in jail since January, deserved to have received it. Muratov is the third Russian to win the Nobel Peace Prize, after the Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and the physicist and dissident Andrei D. Sakharov, who won in 1975 for his human rights advocacy. He waded directly into the issue that has gripped leaders across the Western world in recent weeks: the threat of a military conflagration in the heart of Europe. “In the heads of some crazy geopoliticians, a war between Russia and Ukraine is not something impossible any longer,” he warned. “But I know that wars end with identifying soldiers and exchanging prisoners,” he said, referencing his newspaper’s role in identifying soldiers and exchanging prisoners during the Chechen war. He also spoke about political repression and torture in contemporary Russia. “We hear more and more often about torture of convicts and detainees,” he said. “People are being tortured to the breaking point, to make the prison sentence even more brutal. This is barbaric.” He said he would present an initiative to set up “an international tribunal against torture, which will have the task to gather information on torture in different parts of the world and different countries, and to identify the executioners and the authorities involved in such crimes.” Ressa and Muratov were the first journalists to receive the Nobel Peace Prize since 1935, when it was awarded to Carl von Ossietzky, a German who was afterward detained in a Nazi concentration camp and later died. “By giving this to journalists today, the Nobel committee is signaling a similar historical moment, another existential point for democracy,” Ressa declared. “We’re at a sliding-door moment, where we can continue down the path we’re on and descend further into fascism, or we can each choose to fight for a better world.” In both laureates’ home countries, the climate for independent journalism is dire. In 2020, a global survey of press freedoms by Reporters Without Borders ranked the Philippines 138th out of 180 countries. Russia was 150th. After Ressa arrived in Oslo to attend the Nobel ceremony, she heard the news that a former colleague, Jesus Yutrago Malabanan, a prominent Philippine reporter who had investigated Duterte’s drug war, had been shot in the head and killed. Ressa, in her remarks, said she spoke as a “representative of every journalist around the world who is forced to sacrifice so much to hold the line, to stay true to our values and mission: to bring you the truth and hold power to account.” She called on the audience to ask themselves “What are you willing to sacrifice for the truth?”

Nobel-winning journalists denounce war talk and online ‘toxic sludge’

The 2021 Nobel Peace Prize was shared by journalists Maria Ressa & Dmitry Muratov. While this year's winners have a proven track record, not every Peace Prize winner can say the same. Palki Sharma tells you about the men & women who disgraced the prize.

Gravitas: When war criminals won the Peace Prize

Journalists Maria Ressa of the Philippines and Dmitry Muratov of Russia won the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize for their fight for freedom of expression in countries where media outlets have faced persistent attacks.

Journalists Maria Ressa, Dmitry Muratov win Nobel Peace Prize for defending freedom of expression

Maria Ressa, a journalist who runs a Philippine news website known for its tough scrutiny of President Rodrigo Duterte, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to tax evasion charges in a case she has described as a form of harassment.&nbsp;

Ressa, a Time Magazine Person of the Year in 2018 for fighting media intimidation, is facing several government lawsuits that have caused international concern about harassment of journalists in the Philippines, a country long seen as a standard bearer for press freedom in Asia.&nbsp;

Ressa, 56, who is chief executive of the news site Rappler, was convicted of libel last month and sentenced to up to six year in prison, a ruling widely seen as a blow to democratic freedoms under Duterte's increasingly popular authoritarianism. She was freed on bail.

Rappler has repeatedly challenged the accuracy of Duterte's public statements and his justification for his controversial foreign policy.

It has also reported on alleged atrocities in his war on drugs and probed what it says are massive, state-orchestrated social media hate campaigns against Duterte's critics.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/duterte-critic-journalist-maria-ressa-found-guilty-in-philippines-cyber-libel-case-305887" hreflang="en">Duterte-critic journalist Maria Ressa found guilty in Philippines cyber libel case</a>

Duterte has publicly lashed out at Rappler, calling it a "fake news outlet" sponsored by American spies.&nbsp;

Ressa's latest court appearance is over accusations Rappler falsified tax returns by omitting the proceeds of a sale of depositary receipts to foreign investors, which later became the securities regulator's basis to revoke its license.&nbsp;

Ressa, a dual U.S.-Filipino citizen, said in a tweet on Wednesday: "pleaded NOT GUILTY".&nbsp;

The securities regulator alleged it was a scheme by Rappler to allow foreigners to illegally own shares in a domestic media firm.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/philippines-arrests-president-duterte-critic-journalist-maria-ressa-on-libel-charge-197186" hreflang="en">Philippines arrests Duterte critic, journalist Maria Ressa, on libel charge</a>

Rappler, a startup, has maintained foreigners never owned shares, but were allowed to invest without voting rights or involvement in operations. Rappler is still operating pending its appeal against its license being revoked.

Media watchdogs and human rights activists say the charges against Ressa are part of a broader strategy to silence or humiliate opponents of Duterte.

Earlier this month, his allies in Congress voted overwhelmingly in favour of denying top broadcaster ABS-CBN's bid to renew its 25-year license, an outcome that Duterte had repeatedly promised would happen because of its refusal to air some of his election campaign commercials.&nbsp;

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque says Duterte supports freedom of speech and any media facing legal cases are for breaking the law, not for their reporting.

Maria Ressa, a journalist who runs a Philippine news website known for its tough scrutiny of President Rodrigo Duterte, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to tax evasion charges in a case she has described as a form of harassment.

Maria Ressa, a journalist who runs a Philippine news website known for its tough scrutiny of President Rodrigo Duterte, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to tax evasion charges in a case she has described as a form of harassment. Ressa, a Time Magazine Person of the Year in 2018 for fighting media intimidation, is facing several government lawsuits that have caused international concern about harassment of journalists in the Philippines, a country long seen as a standard bearer for press freedom in Asia. Ressa, 56, who is chief executive of the news site Rappler, was convicted of libel last month and sentenced to up to six year in prison, a ruling widely seen as a blow to democratic freedoms under Duterte's increasingly popular authoritarianism. She was freed on bail. Rappler has repeatedly challenged the accuracy of Duterte's public statements and his justification for his controversial foreign policy. It has also reported on alleged atrocities in his war on drugs and probed what it says are massive, state-orchestrated social media hate campaigns against Duterte's critics. Also read: Duterte-critic journalist Maria Ressa found guilty in Philippines cyber libel case Duterte has publicly lashed out at Rappler, calling it a "fake news outlet" sponsored by American spies. Ressa's latest court appearance is over accusations Rappler falsified tax returns by omitting the proceeds of a sale of depositary receipts to foreign investors, which later became the securities regulator's basis to revoke its license. Ressa, a dual U.S.-Filipino citizen, said in a tweet on Wednesday: "pleaded NOT GUILTY". The securities regulator alleged it was a scheme by Rappler to allow foreigners to illegally own shares in a domestic media firm. Also read: Philippines arrests Duterte critic, journalist Maria Ressa, on libel charge Rappler, a startup, has maintained foreigners never owned shares, but were allowed to invest without voting rights or involvement in operations. Rappler is still operating pending its appeal against its license being revoked. Media watchdogs and human rights activists say the charges against Ressa are part of a broader strategy to silence or humiliate opponents of Duterte. Earlier this month, his allies in Congress voted overwhelmingly in favour of denying top broadcaster ABS-CBN's bid to renew its 25-year license, an outcome that Duterte had repeatedly promised would happen because of its refusal to air some of his election campaign commercials. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque says Duterte supports freedom of speech and any media facing legal cases are for breaking the law, not for their reporting.

Philippine journalist Maria Ressa denies tax evasion charges

High-profile Philippine journalist Maria Ressa was found guilty on Monday in a cyber libel case that press freedom advocates have branded a ploy to silence critics of President Rodrigo Duterte.

High-profile Philippine journalist Maria Ressa was found guilty on Monday in a cyber libel case that press freedom advocates have branded a ploy to silence critics of President Rodrigo Duterte. Also read: Philippines announces libel charge against critical journalist The verdict was handed down in a Manila courtroom against Ressa, who heads the news site Rappler. According to reports, Ressa will be allowed to post bail. Rappler has drawn the administration's ire since publishing reports critical of Duterte's signature anti-drug crackdown that has killed thousands of alleged users and pushers since 2016. She denied the charges, and claimed they were politically motivated. Also read: Philippine journalist released on bail after criticising Duterte government A former CNN journalist, Ms Ressa founded Rappler in 2012 and the news organisation has become a critic of the Duterte administration - and its brutal war on drugs. Ressa was named Time Magazine "Person of the Year" in 2018 for her journalistic work.

Duterte-critic journalist Maria Ressa found guilty in Philippines cyber libel case

The head of a Philippine news website known for critical reports about President Rodrigo Duterte was re-arrested at Manila's airport and freed on bail hours later on Friday over charges she had violated foreign ownership rules on media.

Rappler Chief Executive Officer and Time Person of the Year, Maria Ressa, was served an arrest warrant over a libel case live on television last month and spent a night in detention before she was released. She was arrested again on March 29 minutes after arriving from the United States.

Rappler and its officials are now facing 11 cases, said Ressa, who posted bail for the seventh time. The Philippine constitution bans foreign ownership of media but Rappler has said foreigners who invested in its Philippine Depositary Receipts do not have any say in its operations.

Lawsuits against news platform Rappler have drawn global concern about a free and open media in the democratic Southeast Asian country. Media watchdogs said the charges against Ressa were trumped up and aimed at intimidating those who challenge Duterte's rule, in particular his deadly crackdown on illicit drugs.

The head of a Philippine news website known for critical reports about President Rodrigo Duterte was re-arrested at Manila's airport and freed on bail hours later on Friday over charges she had violated foreign ownership rules on media.

The head of a Philippine news website known for critical reports about President Rodrigo Duterte was re-arrested at Manila's airport and freed on bail hours later on Friday over charges she had violated foreign ownership rules on media. Rappler Chief Executive Officer and Time Person of the Year, Maria Ressa, was served an arrest warrant over a libel case live on television last month and spent a night in detention before she was released. She was arrested again on March 29 minutes after arriving from the United States. Rappler and its officials are now facing 11 cases, said Ressa, who posted bail for the seventh time. The Philippine constitution bans foreign ownership of media but Rappler has said foreigners who invested in its Philippine Depositary Receipts do not have any say in its operations. Lawsuits against news platform Rappler have drawn global concern about a free and open media in the democratic Southeast Asian country. Media watchdogs said the charges against Ressa were trumped up and aimed at intimidating those who challenge Duterte's rule, in particular his deadly crackdown on illicit drugs.

Philippine news site chief and Duterte critic freed on bail after latest arrest

Philippine journalist Maria Ressa, who has repeatedly clashed with President Rodrigo Duterte, was arrested in her Manila office on Wednesday in what rights advocates called an act of "persecution".

Her detention on a charge of "cyber libel" is a dramatic escalation in the legal pressure bearing down on Ressa and her website Rappler, which was already facing tax evasion charges that could shut it down.

"She's been arrested and she's been read her rights," Rappler co-founder Beth Frondoso told AFP. "Fingers crossed -- we'll try to post bail tonight."

Ressa, who was named a Time Magazine "Person of the Year" in 2018 for her journalistic work, left the Rappler offices with agents from the National Bureau of Investigation and surrounded by cameras.

Rappler has drawn the administration's ire since publishing reports critical of Duterte's signature anti-drug crackdown that has killed thousands of alleged users and pushers since 2016.

However, the new case against Ressa and former Rappler reporter Reynaldo Santos, Jr. stems from a 2012 report written about a businessman's alleged ties to a then-judge on the nation's top court.&nbsp;

While investigators initially dismissed the businessman's 2017 complaint about the article, the case was subsequently forwarded to prosecutors for their consideration.

Philippine journalists immediately attacked the surprise serving of the warrant.

"The arrest of... Ressa on the clearly manipulated charge of cyber libel is a shameless act of persecution by a bully government," said the National Union of Journalists' of the Philippines.&nbsp;

"The government... now proves it will go to ridiculous lengths to forcibly silence critical media," it added.

Duterte has lashed out at other critical media outfits, including the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper and broadcaster ABS-CBN.&nbsp;

He had threatened to go after their owners over alleged unpaid taxes or block the network's franchise renewal application.

Some of the drug crackdown's highest-profile critics have wound up behind bars, including Senator Leila de Lima, who was jailed on drug charges she insists were fabricated to silence her.

The law that forms the foundation of the case takes aim at various online offences, including computer fraud and hacking.&nbsp;

Under the tax case, the government accuses Rappler Holdings Corp., Ressa and the site's accountant of failing to pay taxes on 2015 bond sales that it alleges netted gains of 162.5 million pesos ($3 million).

The Philippine justice system is notoriously overburdened and slow, with even minor cases taking years to be judged.

Philippine journalist Maria Ressa, who has repeatedly clashed with President Rodrigo Duterte, was arrested in her Manila office on Wednesday in what rights advocates called an act of "persecution".

Philippine journalist Maria Ressa, who has repeatedly clashed with President Rodrigo Duterte, was arrested in her Manila office on Wednesday in what rights advocates called an act of "persecution". Her detention on a charge of "cyber libel" is a dramatic escalation in the legal pressure bearing down on Ressa and her website Rappler, which was already facing tax evasion charges that could shut it down. "She's been arrested and she's been read her rights," Rappler co-founder Beth Frondoso told AFP. "Fingers crossed -- we'll try to post bail tonight." Ressa, who was named a Time Magazine "Person of the Year" in 2018 for her journalistic work, left the Rappler offices with agents from the National Bureau of Investigation and surrounded by cameras. Rappler has drawn the administration's ire since publishing reports critical of Duterte's signature anti-drug crackdown that has killed thousands of alleged users and pushers since 2016. However, the new case against Ressa and former Rappler reporter Reynaldo Santos, Jr. stems from a 2012 report written about a businessman's alleged ties to a then-judge on the nation's top court. While investigators initially dismissed the businessman's 2017 complaint about the article, the case was subsequently forwarded to prosecutors for their consideration. Philippine journalists immediately attacked the surprise serving of the warrant. "The arrest of... Ressa on the clearly manipulated charge of cyber libel is a shameless act of persecution by a bully government," said the National Union of Journalists' of the Philippines. "The government... now proves it will go to ridiculous lengths to forcibly silence critical media," it added. Duterte has lashed out at other critical media outfits, including the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper and broadcaster ABS-CBN. He had threatened to go after their owners over alleged unpaid taxes or block the network's franchise renewal application. Some of the drug crackdown's highest-profile critics have wound up behind bars, including Senator Leila de Lima, who was jailed on drug charges she insists were fabricated to silence her. The law that forms the foundation of the case takes aim at various online offences, including computer fraud and hacking. Under the tax case, the government accuses Rappler Holdings Corp., Ressa and the site's accountant of failing to pay taxes on 2015 bond sales that it alleges netted gains of 162.5 million pesos ($3 million). The Philippine justice system is notoriously overburdened and slow, with even minor cases taking years to be judged.

Philippines arrests Duterte critic, journalist Maria Ressa, on libel charge

Philippine prosecutors said Wednesday they will file a libel charge carrying up to 12 years in prison against journalist Maria Ressa, who leads a news website that has clashed with President Rodrigo Duterte's administration.

The case -- under a controversial cybercrime law penalising online libel -- adds to legal pressure on Ressa and her site Rappler, which has already been hit with tax evasion charges that could shutter the outlet and put her behind bars.

Ressa, who was named a Time Magazine "Person of the Year" in 2018 for her journalistic work, slammed the fresh case as a new front of "harassment" intended to silence her website.

Rappler has drawn the administration's ire since publishing reports critical of Duterte's signature anti-drug crackdown that has killed thousands of alleged users and pushers since 2016.

However, the new case against Ressa and former Rappler reporter Reynaldo Santos, Jr. stems from a 2012 report written about a businessman's alleged ties to a then-judge on the nation's top court.&nbsp;

While investigators initially dismissed the businessman's 2017 complaint about the article, the case was subsequently forwarded to prosecutors for their consideration.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra told AFP on Wednesday the case would be filed in court "very soon".

Duterte has lashed out at other critical media outfits, including the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper and broadcaster ABS-CBN.&nbsp;

He had threatened to go after their owners over alleged unpaid taxes or block the network's franchise renewal application.

Some of the drug crackdown's highest-profile critics have wound up behind bars, including Senator Leila de Lima, who was jailed on drug charges she insists were fabricated to silence her.

Ressa, already on bail for the tax charges, said the new case lacks a sound legal basis.

"It is ridiculous, of course it is harassment," she told AFP. "The story was published seven years ago, four months before the (cybercrime) law was enacted."

The law that forms the foundation of the case takes aim at various online offences, including computer fraud and hacking.&nbsp;

Nonoy Espina, chairman of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, said the case would set an ominous precedent.

"This is an extremely dangerous proposition since it essentially means anyone can be made liable for anything and everything they posted even way before the Cybercrime Law," he added.

Guevarra denied the government's decision to pursue the case was an effort to put pressure on the website.

"We do not inject politics in our work. No one tells us how to go about doing our job. We give contending parties equal opportunities to present their side," Guevarra told AFP.

Under the tax case, the government accuses Rappler Holdings Corp., Ressa and the site's accountant of failing to pay taxes on 2015 bond sales that it alleges netted gains of 162.5 million pesos ($3 million).

The Philippine justice system is notoriously overburdened and slow, with even minor cases taking years to be judged.

Philippine prosecutors said Wednesday they will file a libel charge carrying up to 12 years in prison against journalist Maria Ressa, who leads a news website that has clashed with President Rodrigo Duterte's administration.

Philippine prosecutors said Wednesday they will file a libel charge carrying up to 12 years in prison against journalist Maria Ressa, who leads a news website that has clashed with President Rodrigo Duterte's administration. The case -- under a controversial cybercrime law penalising online libel -- adds to legal pressure on Ressa and her site Rappler, which has already been hit with tax evasion charges that could shutter the outlet and put her behind bars. Ressa, who was named a Time Magazine "Person of the Year" in 2018 for her journalistic work, slammed the fresh case as a new front of "harassment" intended to silence her website. Rappler has drawn the administration's ire since publishing reports critical of Duterte's signature anti-drug crackdown that has killed thousands of alleged users and pushers since 2016. However, the new case against Ressa and former Rappler reporter Reynaldo Santos, Jr. stems from a 2012 report written about a businessman's alleged ties to a then-judge on the nation's top court. While investigators initially dismissed the businessman's 2017 complaint about the article, the case was subsequently forwarded to prosecutors for their consideration. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra told AFP on Wednesday the case would be filed in court "very soon". Duterte has lashed out at other critical media outfits, including the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper and broadcaster ABS-CBN. He had threatened to go after their owners over alleged unpaid taxes or block the network's franchise renewal application. Some of the drug crackdown's highest-profile critics have wound up behind bars, including Senator Leila de Lima, who was jailed on drug charges she insists were fabricated to silence her. Ressa, already on bail for the tax charges, said the new case lacks a sound legal basis. "It is ridiculous, of course it is harassment," she told AFP. "The story was published seven years ago, four months before the (cybercrime) law was enacted." The law that forms the foundation of the case takes aim at various online offences, including computer fraud and hacking. Nonoy Espina, chairman of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, said the case would set an ominous precedent. "This is an extremely dangerous proposition since it essentially means anyone can be made liable for anything and everything they posted even way before the Cybercrime Law," he added. Guevarra denied the government's decision to pursue the case was an effort to put pressure on the website. "We do not inject politics in our work. No one tells us how to go about doing our job. We give contending parties equal opportunities to present their side," Guevarra told AFP. Under the tax case, the government accuses Rappler Holdings Corp., Ressa and the site's accountant of failing to pay taxes on 2015 bond sales that it alleges netted gains of 162.5 million pesos ($3 million). The Philippine justice system is notoriously overburdened and slow, with even minor cases taking years to be judged.

Philippines announces libel charge against critical journalist

The murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi and other journalists have been named Time magazine's "Person of the Year".&nbsp;

The other journalists include Philippine journalist Maria Ressa, a fierce critic of Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs, Reuters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo -- currently imprisoned in Myanmar -- and the staff of the Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Maryland, including five members killed in a June shooting.&nbsp;

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The Guardians—Jamal Khashoggi, the Capital Gazette, Maria Ressa, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo—are TIME's Person of the Year 2018 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TIMEPOY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TIMEPOY</a> <a href="https://t.co/HvoEaW5oUi">https://t.co/HvoEaW5oUi</a> <a href="https://t.co/9Mr0wBTmvj">pic.twitter.com/9Mr0wBTmvj</a>
— TIME (@TIME) <a href="https://twitter.com/TIME/status/1072474968078893056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Khashoggi was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey on October 2.&nbsp;

Khashoggi was getting married the following day. He had gone to the consulate to pick up paperwork related to that.&nbsp;

The Saudis flew down a hit squad of 15 men to carry out the killing. Khashoggi's body was then dismembered with a bone saw and dissolved in acid.&nbsp;

The Saudis denied the murder for two weeks, before finally confessing to it.&nbsp;

America's CIA has since said the execution was ordered by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi and other journalists have been named Time magazine's "Person of the Year". The other journalists include Philippine journalist Maria Ressa, a fierce critic of Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs, Reuters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo -- currently imprisoned in Myanmar -- and the staff of the Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Maryland, including five members killed in a June shooting.

The murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi and other journalists have been named Time magazine's "Person of the Year". The other journalists include Philippine journalist Maria Ressa, a fierce critic of Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs, Reuters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo -- currently imprisoned in Myanmar -- and the staff of the Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Maryland, including five members killed in a June shooting. The Guardians—Jamal Khashoggi, the Capital Gazette, Maria Ressa, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo—are TIME's Person of the Year 2018 #TIMEPOY https://t.co/HvoEaW5oUi pic.twitter.com/9Mr0wBTmvj — TIME (@TIME) December 11, 2018 × Khashoggi was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey on October 2. Khashoggi was getting married the following day. He had gone to the consulate to pick up paperwork related to that. The Saudis flew down a hit squad of 15 men to carry out the killing. Khashoggi's body was then dismembered with a bone saw and dissolved in acid. The Saudis denied the murder for two weeks, before finally confessing to it. America's CIA has since said the execution was ordered by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.

Jamal Khashoggi is Time magazine's 'Person of the Year'

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