‘Cyber Libel’?

“We reimagine a better future for journalism and society. We protect public interest above all other interests. We celebrate the good and unmask the bad. We are transparent, accountable, and consistent. We ask, we explain, we investigate.”

—The operating principles of Rappler, a Philippine news website whose founder and executive editor, Maria Ressa, was arrested Wednesday for “cyber libel” against the government of President Rodrigo Duterte. See Hannah Ellis-Petersen, south Asia correspondent, “Maria Ressa arrest: everything you need to know about the Rappler editor,” The Guardian, Feb. 14, 2019. Image: Ressa posts bail. Alex Ongcal. 

Note: Ressa is one of TIME Magazine’s 2018 Persons of the Year.




• Editorial Comment: Crazy ideas.

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“I don’t think writers are sacred, but words are. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones, in the right order, you can nudge the world a little.” —Tom Stoppard