Hillary Clinton, Madeleine Albright back Rappler boss Ressa after cyber libel verdict
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Hillary Clinton, Madeleine Albright back Rappler boss Ressa after cyber libel verdict
ABS-CBN News
Published Jun 16, 2020 12:26 PM PHT

MANILA — Former US secretaries of state Hillary Clinton and Madeleine Albright on Tuesday expressed solidarity with Rappler CEO Maria Ressa following her cyber libel conviction, which supporters said was an attack on press freedom.
MANILA — Former US secretaries of state Hillary Clinton and Madeleine Albright on Tuesday expressed solidarity with Rappler CEO Maria Ressa following her cyber libel conviction, which supporters said was an attack on press freedom.
The journalist, who Time magazine named as a Person of the Year in 2018, faces up to 6 years behind bars in Monday's culmination of the case that stemmed from a 2012 article linking a businessman to alleged illegal activities.
The journalist, who Time magazine named as a Person of the Year in 2018, faces up to 6 years behind bars in Monday's culmination of the case that stemmed from a 2012 article linking a businessman to alleged illegal activities.
Maria Ressa was convicted in the Philippines yesterday for doing her job.
As Amal Clooney wrote, the message to other journalists is “Keep quiet, or you’ll be next.”
We must fiercely protest attacks on the press. They are attacks on democracy. https://t.co/YYyamMVfht
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 15, 2020
Maria Ressa was convicted in the Philippines yesterday for doing her job.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 15, 2020
As Amal Clooney wrote, the message to other journalists is “Keep quiet, or you’ll be next.”
We must fiercely protest attacks on the press. They are attacks on democracy. https://t.co/YYyamMVfht
Ressa was convicted "for doing her job," Clinton told her 28.1 million followers on Twitter.
Ressa was convicted "for doing her job," Clinton told her 28.1 million followers on Twitter.
Quoting international human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, the US leader said the verdict was a message to other journalists to "Keep quiet, or you’ll be next."
Quoting international human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, the US leader said the verdict was a message to other journalists to "Keep quiet, or you’ll be next."
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"We must fiercely protest attacks on the press. They are attacks on democracy," said Clinton, who headed the US Democratic ticket in 2016 and lost to Republican Donald Trump.
"We must fiercely protest attacks on the press. They are attacks on democracy," said Clinton, who headed the US Democratic ticket in 2016 and lost to Republican Donald Trump.
Albright also wrote on Twitter, "I stand with Maria Ressa."
Albright also wrote on Twitter, "I stand with Maria Ressa."
I stand with Maria Ressa. #HoldTheLine #CourageON #DefendPressFreedom @rapplerdotcom @mariaressa https://t.co/sIO2Xg87eZ
— Madeleine Albright (@madeleine) June 15, 2020
I stand with Maria Ressa. #HoldTheLine #CourageON #DefendPressFreedom @rapplerdotcom @mariaressa https://t.co/sIO2Xg87eZ
— Madeleine Albright (@madeleine) June 15, 2020
Watchdogs earlier said the guilty verdict against Ressa marked a dangerous erosion of press freedom under President Rodrigo Duterte, whose anti-narcotics drive was the subject of Rappler's critical reports.
Watchdogs earlier said the guilty verdict against Ressa marked a dangerous erosion of press freedom under President Rodrigo Duterte, whose anti-narcotics drive was the subject of Rappler's critical reports.
Duterte's government has said the case is not politically motivated and that authorities must enforce the law, even against journalists.
Duterte's government has said the case is not politically motivated and that authorities must enforce the law, even against journalists.
In 2018, Duterte denounced Rappler as a "fake news outlet" and subsequently banned Ressa and her colleagues from his public engagements.
In 2018, Duterte denounced Rappler as a "fake news outlet" and subsequently banned Ressa and her colleagues from his public engagements.
Ressa and her co-accused, former Rappler researcher Reynaldo Santos Jr., will remain free on bail they previously and were given 15 days to appeal, according to their counsel.
Ressa and her co-accused, former Rappler researcher Reynaldo Santos Jr., will remain free on bail they previously and were given 15 days to appeal, according to their counsel.
Both were ordered to pay P200,000 in moral damages and P200,000 in exemplary damages. — With reports from Reuters and Agence France-Presse
Both were ordered to pay P200,000 in moral damages and P200,000 in exemplary damages. — With reports from Reuters and Agence France-Presse
Read More:
Hillary Clinton
Madeleine Albright
US
Maria Ressa
Rappler
cyber libel
Maria Ressa cyber libel
Maria Ressa cyber libel conviction
Wilfredo Keng
press freedom
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