The Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of Editors and media executives focused on press freedom, have expressed concern over the harassment and prosecution of Maria Ressa, Rappler founder and editor.
The group, in a letter to Mr. Alex Lamadrid, Philippines envoy to Nigeria, alleged that Ressa, a member of the IPI Executive Board, was being tried on a “trumped-up indictment.”
The letter was signed by Kabiru Yusuf, Chairman, IPI Nigerian National Committee, Malam Wada Maida, Member, IPI Executive Board (representing Nigeria) in the Viena-based body, and Raheem Adedoyin, Secretary, IPI Nigeria National Committee.
“The law has been applied retroactively to charge and intimidate Ressa,” IPI said in the letter made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Abuja.
The media leaders particularly noted that a Manila Regional Trial Court was expected to deliver a ruling in a cyber libel prosecution case against Ressa on Monday, June 15, and alleged that Ressa was being persecuted for standing up for the truth.
“We are deeply alarmed that this case appears to be based on a trumped-up indictment. Ressa is an internationally acclaimed journalist, who has been recognised and hailed for her contribution to journalism because of her courage and resolve to uphold press freedom and speak truth to power.
“Ressa’s contribution to journalism has been acknowledged around the world. She was one of four journalists named Time Magazine’s ‘Person of the Year’ for taking `great risks in pursuit of greater truth’. That same year, Rappler received the IPI-IMS Free Media Pioneer Award.
“In any democracy, independent journalists and media outlets play a key role as a watchdog. Investigative journalism brings to light the challenges and problems faced by the people, which help society and governments to resolve and remedy them.
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“Unfortunately, in the Philippines, it appears that the government does not tolerate criticism of its actions. We are dismayed that the government has filed as many as nine cases against Ressa in a blatant attempt to silence her and shut down Rappler.
“These legal cases, which are only aimed at criminalising her reporting and carry combined sentences of more than 100 years in prison, include two libel prosecutions, two criminal cases alleging foreign ownership in Rappler, and investigations of old tax returns.
“We are aware that the cyber libel case is based on an investigative report that Rappler published on 29 May, 2012 involving the former Chief Justice, Renato Corona, and a businessman.
“The businessman filed a libel complaint with the National Bureau of Investigations’ (NIB), cybercrime division, in 2017 based on Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, which became law four months after the story was published.
“Initially, in 2018 the NIB decided not to pursue the complaint, but the justice ministry reopened the case, applying the law retrospectively. Ressa was arrested on 13 February, 2019 and had to spend time in detention before being released on bail.
“The case has attracted international attention and criticism. The United States Senate has described persecution of Ressa as part of a pattern of `weaponising the rule of law’ to repress independent media in the Philippines.
“Similarly, top diplomats of Canada and the United Kingdom have criticised the harassment of Ressa. The Nigerian National Committee of IPI stands in solidarity with our esteemed colleague, Maria Ressa, a journalist of the highest calibre,” the letter stated.
IPI urged the envoy to press upon his home government to withdraw all cases against Ressa, and uphold human rights, press freedom and democratic norms.
