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Reuters

UN human rights experts called on the Philippines government on Thursday to allow independent news website Rappler to operate, voicing concern at rising rhetoric against voices critical of President Rodrigo Duterte.
The country’s Securities and Exchange Commission revoked Rappler’s licence on January 11 for ownership violations. Maria Ressa, chief of Rappler, met state investigators on Monday to answer what she called a suspicious complaint about a 2012 story.
“We are gravely concerned that the government is moving to revoke Rappler’s licence,” three UN human rights experts said in a joint statement. “We are especially concerned that this move against Rappler comes at a time of rising rhetoric against independent voices in the country.”
Rappler was attacked just when it was needed the most

The Philippines authorities deny Rappler is being punished, but say it broke the law in 2015 by granting American investor Omidyar Network the means to exercise control over the news site, or veto powers on company decisions.
Rappler, which continues to operate normally pending an appeal, denies it broke the law.
“Rappler’s work rests on its own freedom to impart information, and more importantly its vast readership to have access to its public interest reporting,” the UN experts said.
There was no basis under international human rights law to block Rappler from operating. They said: “Rappler and other independent outlets need particular protection because of the essential role they play in ensuring robust public debate.”
Philippine news website Rappler’s licence revoked after Rodrigo Duterte threat
Diplomats at the Philippines mission in Geneva were not immediately available to comment on the statement, which was issued by three UN figures.
They are David Kaye, UN special rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Michel Forst, UN special rapporteur on human rights defenders, and Agnes Callamard, UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions.


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The Philippines

UN experts urge Philippines to allow independent news website Rappler to operate

Journalists and supporters display placards showing President Rodrigo Duterte as a clown during a protest in favour of the freedom of press in Manila on January 19, 2018. Philippine journalists took to the streets January 19 in support of a news website facing state-enforced closure, accusing President Rodrigo Duterte of trampling on press freedom. The government withdrew the corporate registration of the Rappler website this week and has summoned its chief executive to answer a "cyber-libel" complaint in what media watchdogs describe as payback for critical coverage of Duterte's deadly war on drugs. / AFP PHOTO / TED ALJIBE

Maria Ressa, centre, CEO of the online news agency Rappler, walks with her lawyers to the National Bureau of Investigation on January 22, 2018. The UN urged the Philippines to preserve free media after the Philippine securities commission revoked the registration of Rappler, known for its critical reporting on Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, a move media watchdogs said is an act to muzzle the free press. Photo: AP

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