Several journalists have openly aired their support for Maria Ressa after the Manila court handed down a guilty verdict on her cyber libel case.
Journalists flooded Twitter with support for Ressa and expressed their dismay over the result of the trial.
On Monday, June 15, Manila RTC judge Rainelda Estacio-Montessa gave a guilty verdict to Maria Ressa and Rey Santos Jr. on the cyber libel case filed by businessman Wilfredo Keng.
The case stemmed from Rappler’s updated article about Keng’s connection with then former Chief Justice Renato Corona.
The article which was sourced from an intelligence report alleged Keng is connected to illegal activities. While the article was written prior to the enactment of the anti-cybercrime law, the court argued that it was updated in 2014 to correct the spelling of “evation” to evasion was deemed as a republication thus became one of the grounds enough to give a guilty verdict.
Journalists from different networks threw in their support for the embattled Ressa.
Kapuso journalist Raffy Tima made a cryptic tweet about Context and what’s happening around us.
To fully understand the events happening around us, we must and we should put everything into CONTEXT, according to Merriam Webster – “the situation in which something happens: the group of conditions that exist where and when something happens.”
Let us not be naive.— Raffy Tima (@raffytima) June 15, 2020
Ces Drilon meanwhile shared the statement of several business groups with regards to the verdict.
Businessmen finally speak out about press freedom!!! pic.twitter.com/0r2bGxCYjm
— Ces Oreña-Drilon (@cesdrilon) June 15, 2020
Karen Davila, on the other hand, tweeted about defending press freedom.
Press freedom is the foundation of all our freedoms. This isnt about me… this is about you. #courageon #DefendPressFeedom https://t.co/RZv0nRmKXY
— Karen Davila (@iamkarendavila) June 15, 2020
Here are other sentiments from other journalists and broadcasters in the country.
Local and international media organizations condemn, express alarm over court’s conviction of Rappler’s Maria Ressa and Reynaldo Santos Jr. of cyber libel today. A thread. #DefendPressFreedom
— Atom Araullo (@atomaraullo) June 15, 2020
We’re with you @rapplerdotcom. https://t.co/hwmOvvEqeI
— Jeff Canoy (@jeffcanoy) June 15, 2020
.@RSF_inter is appalled by this morning’s conviction of @mariaressa in one of the many cases against her, aimed at silencing @rapplerdotcom’s public interest reporting. This politically motivated charge must be overturned on appeal. #HoldTheLine https://t.co/bJbWvauT6l
— Rebecca Vincent (@rebecca_vincent) June 15, 2020
Critical media are being harassed. Ordinary Filipinos have been arrested for their social media posts. If you still think these are mere isolated cases that will never affect you in any way, you’re missing the big picture. May your voice not be the next one that is silenced.
— Jam Sisante Cayco (@jamsisante) June 15, 2020
For someone na binasahan ng guilty verdict @mariaressa is calm and composed. Kung pulitiko yan naka wheelchair, may neck brace o mataas BP.
— jeck batallones (@jeck_batallones) June 15, 2020
Hold the line! 🙏 @mariaressa
— JP Soriano (@jpsoriano) June 15, 2020
Maria Ressa's voice cracks as she addresses the media: To the Filipinos watching, this is not just about Rappler or about us. This is about you. Because freedom of the press is the foundation of every single right you have as a Filipino citizen. #DefendPressFreedom @mariaressa
— Natashya Gutierrez (@natashya_g) June 15, 2020
I stand for press freedom, because I stand for all the people this freedom protects.
I stand for all of my colleagues who are keeping up this fight.
We are with you.#HoldTheLine#PushBack#DefendDemocracy#DefendJournalism
— Chiara Zambrano (@chiarazambrano) June 15, 2020
Standing up for @mariaressa Ray and @rapplerdotcom not because I think they are above the law but because their case shows how the Duterte govt twists the law so it becomes a weapon against civil liberties. #DefendPressFreedom #HoldTheLine
— inday espina varona (@indayevarona) June 14, 2020
https://twitter.com/richardbolisay/status/1272361323637030912
The verdict will affect all of us. It will have serious implications for Filipino journalists. #Istandwithmariaressa pic.twitter.com/PAlwDk10eh
— Ces Oreña-Drilon (@cesdrilon) June 15, 2020
I believe Maria Resa should have been acquitted. Reasons: pic.twitter.com/TxgXUo75Jj
— Mel Sta.Maria (@attymeltweet) June 15, 2020
Dangerous precedent vs free press, says UP CMC pic.twitter.com/FiITttNJLY
— Tina Arceo-Dumlao (@tinaarceodumlao) June 15, 2020
#DefendPressFreedom https://t.co/f97QrTdtZ6
— Lynda Jumilla-Abalos (@lyndajumilla) June 15, 2020
