‘Be silent or you’re next’: Maria Ressa posts bail, but arrest ‘puts all Filipinos at risk’
- The Rappler CEO is defiant on her release one day after being charged with ‘cyber-libel’ over a report her website ran seven years ago
- With an election looming, many suspect the case is politically motivated – and warn this is the thin end of the wedge
Award-winning Philippine journalist Maria Ressa emerged beaming and defiant after posting bail of 100,000 pesos (US$2,000) on Thursday, one day after her arrest on a charge of “cyber-libel” sparked international controversy and sent shivers through the country’s press freedom activists.
“We will not duck, we will not hide, we will hold the line,” vowed the CEO of news website Rappler, who has been charged over a report her company ran seven years ago.
“What we are seeing is death by a thousand cuts of our democracy,” said Ressa, adding that “someone told our reporters last night – ‘be silent or you’re next’.”
“I’ll be very transparent because I have done – nothing,” she continued, voice breaking, before warning Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, “You don’t want to be known as the secretary of injustice.”
