Ilonggo journalists weigh in on Ressa, Santos conviction

Ilonggo media practitioners gave their thoughts on the guilty verdict issued on June 15 by the Manila Regional Trial Court, on the cyberlibel case against Rappler Executive Editor Maria Ressa and former Rappler researcher-writer Reynaldo Santos Jr.

The case stemmed from an article posted on Rappler in April 2012, stating that businessman Wilfredo Keng was being investigated by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for his alleged links to human trafficking and drug smuggling.

In its May 2012 article, Rappler identified Keng as the owner of the black Chevrolet Suburban van allegedly used by the late chief justice Renato Corona.

The article was updated in 2014, according to Rappler, due to typographical errors, which prompted Keng to file the suit against Ressa and Santos, arguing that it was a case of “continuous publication” and “republication”.

Republic Act No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012), which provides penalties for cyberlibel, was signed into law in September 2012, but only became fully effective on October 2014, after the Supreme Court issued a Temporary Restraining Order and declared several of its provisions as unconstitutional.

Ressa’s counsel, Atty. Theodore Te, said that they are considering appealing the verdict on other merits which were not discussed in the decision’s text.

Several members of the academe teaching in media-related programs gave their take on the news.

Dr. Ian Espada, Dean of the West Visayas State University College of Communication (WVSU-COC), said that the verdict must be respected, while also stating admiration for Ressa.

“Since the verdict has come out, let’s just respect it. The decision is appealable anyway. As what I have told [sic] in [sic] journalism classes before, always give both sides of the coin, be fair and make sure you have gathered enough evidences to support claims especially on sensitive issues and matters. But, I still admire Maria Ressa for her courage to keep the spirit of true journalism alive in this country,” Espada said.

Another WVSU-COC professor, Prof. Zsa Zsa Bacaling, reacted to the news with advice to present and future students in the field.

“To the brave souls who chose this career path, you are needed now more than ever. I salute you, but be warned. When the very principles you stand on are threatened by tyranny and suppression, only truth, unwavering faith, insane courage will hold the line,” Bacaling said.

A current member and a former member of Rappler’s citizen journalism arm, Move.PH, gave their personal reactions to the verdict.

Current Move.PH Iloilo Core Mover Rhick Lars Vladimer Albay said that the guilty verdict was simply a clear attack on freedom of the press.

“Today’s conviction marks another nail to the coffin of our collective freedom of speech. In a time when much of the country is still in the grips and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, the administration has chosen to prioritize weaponizing our nation’s laws to crack down on critics and mass dissent. Under the shadow of the government’s convoluted lockdowns and quarantines, targeted attacks on the media have continued with impunity – in the span of just three months shutting down the major broadcasting company ABS-CBN and now endeavoring to silence the indelible voice of Rappler’s Maria Ressa. With its thinly-veiled assault on our freedom of expression, the administration has shown where its priorities lie,” Albay said.

Albay said he was still hopeful for journalism and even quoted one of Ressa’s remarks.

“My heart goes out to Maria Ressa, who I know will continue to #CourageOn and #HoldTheLine even during this tumultuous time. I would like to quote embattled Maria’s inspiring keynote speech from the 2019 Global Investigative Journalism Conference in Hamburg: ‘An attack on one is an attack on all… When journalists are under attack, democracy is under attack. Protect the rights guaranteed by our democracies or watch them slowly erode in plain sight. This is the challenge for all of us today,’” he said.

Former Move.PH Iloilo Lead Mover Russel Jude Patiña did not hold back while giving his opinion to Daily Guardian, saying that this should serve as a wake-up call to the academe.

“As a former citizen journalist and journalism student, it is disheartening to see how the law is currently being weaponized against the media. In journ school we were taught about the importance of the press and the role of the 4th estate in a democracy. Now that we are seeing how press freedom is being crippled by powers that be, I hope journalism teachers and institutions will also join the call to #HoldTheLine. At the end of the day, when media institutions are attacked and the very core of the journalism profession is threatened, I would like to believe that journ teachers will have to play a bigger role in advocating for the role of journalism in our society and protecting the rights of those who practice it,” Patiña said.

Patiña also encouraged students taking up media-related courses and those wishing to pursue a career in the media to take a stand while they’re still building up their knowledge in the field.

“This is also a challenge for those who are in journ school and would like to pursue a career in the media, as early as now, you have to know where you stand because now more than ever, we need brave journalists who will not cower in midst of threats and intimidation. The fight for press freedom begins in schools, in classrooms, in your communities. Speak up now because this fight for press freedom is a fight not only for your future profession but ultimately for your country’s,” he said.

Other media practitioners also weighed in on the developments.

Former columnist and radio host Rey Umalay allayed his own fears, saying that he hopes that this would not be an attack on press freedom.

“I hope that the verdict is not a clear attack on press freedom, or on certain individuals working in the media, just to eliminate the power of the Press. The verdict against Maria Ressa will serve as a highlight of attacking media personalities and taking advantage of the situation, I hope that this will not be the start of a greater war against our media practitioners,” Umalay said.

Writer and former newspaper editor Daryl Lasafin echoed the many opinions on the issue, agreeing that the case was a matter of press freedom.

“Maria Ressa’s right: She’s a cautionary tale. What this tells other journalists and government critics: Shut up or you’re next. To everyone saying ‘there’s still press freedom’ because other news outlets still get to report: Journalists filtering their work for fear of reprisal from a vindictive government is NOT press freedom,” Lasafin said.

Journalist Ted Aldwin Ong, also a former member of Rappler’s MOVE.ph, said he already expected the decision, likening it to a building block.

“A guilty verdict for Maria Ressa, et al. is highly expected. I have likened the decision to a building block. Every court decision must be “friendly” to this regime for it is an essential brick piece that is gradually being bolted in to the building block to solidify its position against media and critics,” Ong said.

Ong added that this was part of the Duterte administration’s continued “weaponization of the law”, or using the law to target the government’s perceived enemies.

“Obviously, this regime has mastered the use of legality as a strategy – fortifying its next move with legitimacy to insulate itself from public scrutiny, gain public sympathy, and to widen public acceptability of oppressive acts. Maria Ressa will not be the last. The campaign against the media will grow with each passing day until this regime possess full control,” he added.