Philippines

The Public Media Alliance condemns the guilty verdict against Rappler founder and editor-in-chief, Maria Ressa, and journalist, Reynaldo Santos Jr, under the Cybercrime Prevention Act as a further attack on press freedom in the Philippines.

Advocates of free press and expression call on the Philippines government to respect the public's right to know and denounce the stifling of ABS-CBN, one of the largest media groups in the country.

Congress suspends ABS-CBN’s provisional licence and turns to deliberating lengthier 25-year licence renewal bill, which will see the broadcaster shut for longer.

It is essential that citizens have access to accurate, timely and independent news and information during crises and emergencies. Yet despite the current pandemic, journalists and media outlets face mounting threats in fulfilling this critical role.

ABS-CBN has been issued a “cease-and-desist" order by the country’s media regulator starting with immediate effect. The Public Media Alliance denounces the order as a direct attack on media freedom and calls for the renewal of the company's licence.  

Serious concern as recently enacted “fake news” laws threaten media freedom across South East Asia.

Maria Ressa, CEO of the independent newspaper Rappler, has been arrested on charges of “cyber libel” for an article that seems to have violated a law that was not even in place when it was published.

Media groups wrote an editorial commenting on the relationship between the Philippines’ president Rodrigo Duterte and the state media, calling for better reporting, pay and protection for journalists.

A disaster communications expert at Radyo Bakdaw in the Philippines describes how important broadcast weather reports are for reassuring people rebuilding after Typhoon Haiyan