In a significant victory for press freedom, Nobel laureate Maria Ressa has been acquitted in the last of five tax evasion cases filed against her in the Philippines. The journalist, renowned for her fearless reporting on President Rodrigo Duterte’s brutal war on drugs, expressed her relief and faith in the justice system outside a Manila court. Ressa’s news website, Rappler, has been a consistent voice against growing authoritarianism in the country, which earned her the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize in 2021 alongside Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov.
Ressa’s acquittal marks a pivotal moment in the fight for a free and responsible press in the face of mounting autocracy. It is a victory not only for Rappler but for all those who believe in the power of journalism to empower communities and strengthen democracy.
This latest ruling comes amidst ongoing scrutiny of President Duterte’s actions, as he faces investigation by the International Criminal Court in The Hague for alleged “crimes against humanity” linked to his anti-narcotics campaign. The court’s inquiry further underscores the importance of holding leaders accountable for their actions.
The tax evasion cases against Ressa originated from the sale of Philippine depositary receipts in 2015, a means of raising funds from foreign investors. While the journalist has been cleared of these charges, she still faces a conviction in a cyber-libel case, which carries a potential seven-year prison term. However, she is currently out on bail as the case undergoes the appeals process.
Rappler itself is also confronting challenges, as it challenges a shutdown order from the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission. The order alleges that the media outlet violated a constitutional prohibition on foreign investments in local media. This ongoing battle reveals the precarious state of press freedom in the Philippines.
Maria Ressa’s acquittal is a cause for celebration, but it should also serve as a reminder of the continuing threats to journalism and democracy around the world. It highlights the importance of supporting independent media organizations that fearlessly hold the powerful accountable. The struggle for press freedom must persist to safeguard societies from authoritarianism and ensure that truth and justice prevail.
