RAPPLER co-founder and veteran journalist Maria Ressa will be honored with an international Press Freedom Award by the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
The journalism organization announced its selection of Ressa for the international 2020 John Aubuchon Press Freedom Award on Friday, June 26.
Each year, the club confers the award to a journalist from the United States and another from overseas “who bravely pushes to disclose the truth in trying circumstances,” it said in a release. It is named after the late John Aubuchon, a former White House correspondent who served as president of the club.
Ressa, who was among TIME’s 2018 “Persons of the Year,” has been a vocal critic of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. She was recently convicted on charges of cyber libel earlier this month for a 2012 Rappler article about a businessman, and faces up to six years in prison.
“Make no mistake they are looking to silence her outspoken and fearless voice, which is often in opposition to many of the restrictive and illegal policies of the government,” National Press Club President Michael Freedman and NPC Journalism Institute President Angela Greiling Keane said in a joint statement following her conviction.
“To silence the press is to silence the people, silence accountability and silence truth. Maria Ressa’s voice will not be silenced,” they added.
The 2020 Aubuchon awards will be conferred later this year, the club said.
But isn’t it ironic that Ressa claims there is oppression of press freedom yet her Rappler is not being punished or shut down even if they have delivered some fake news to the public? She doesn’t deserve this award. It’s shameful and embarrassing that our country has someone like her working in the media industry.
I know the current administration has its own issues. Incompetence, corruption, classism, drug war failures, name them. BUT what I am fascinated about is how this lying journalist keeps on linking her cyber libel case to the President or the government’s “wrath” against media people.
What seems to be THE PROBLEM is that Rappler mentioned Keng (who it said is the “ALLEGED” OWNER of the SUV that CJ Corona used during impeachment trial) and wrote false accusations. What happened is that: from “trying to discredit Corona”, it went to “Rappler destroying Keng (a low-profile businessman)” — creating a small entrance to another story that no longer focuses on the original news or investigation subject.
Maria ressa should be jailed for what she did! She and her fake news platform rappler is just ruining the loves of the filipinos. She doesnt deserve to be called filipino for what she is doing! Jail maria ressa now!
Journalists are supposed to be the watchdogs of society. But they could also be the ones bending information to manipulate the public into thinking in a certain way. So don’t go on blaming social media platforms. Because even if social media or the internet have affected people’s behavior systems, this is still not a “proof” that the media does not contribute to the spread of fake news.
Maria ressa doesnt deserve an award! She needs to be behind bars! She needs to be jailed for what she did to wilfredo keng. Wilfredo keng helped a lot of filipinos during this pandemic and this maria ressa just keeps on creating fake news! Maria ressa of rappler doesnt deserve to be called filipino!
What Ressa did was a personal attack against an innocent businessman. Not only did she write about Keng’s “connection” with CJ Corona, her Rappler also disseminated news dati saying Keng’s businesses are drug-related. Kung ako nasa position nung Keng, I will also file a libel case against Ressa and Rappler especially when I’m sure that there is no truth behind what they want the public to believe in.
This is disappointing in all angles! We always tell the younger generation to be more wise and vigilant when it comes to fake news, but some still choose to defend this lying false information creator? How ironic!
No to fake news, If press freedom for you people is just reading, watching or listening to news that favor you and your interests and beliefs, then it’s something else that you want! IBANG BAGAY! Do not sugarcoat your biases. Myghad naman!
If press freedom for you people is just reading, watching or listening to news that favor you and your interests and beliefs, then it’s something else that you want! IBANG BAGAY! Do not sugarcoat your biases. Myghad naman!
What Ressa did was a personal attack against an innocent businessman. Not only did she write about Keng’s “connection” with CJ Corona, her Rappler also disseminated news dati saying Keng’s businesses are drug-related. Kung ako nasa position nung Keng, I will also file a libel case against Ressa and Rappler especially when I’m sure that there is no truth behind what they want the public to believe in.
The problem with Ressa is that she only tells and comments on the “reality” she believes in, which might not be the absolute truth. Each person has his own reality based on his profile, his experiences and the circle/world he belongs to. Ressa could only be speaking for herself, and not the Filipino people as a whole.
all 12 Comments from the Philippines. Proof that Maria Ressa is fighting a troll army.
Why are the comments of “Marites Bautista” (June 28, 7:42 am) and “Rogelio Tukodlangit”(June 28, 8:50 am) above IDENTICAL?