Philippine Court Rules in Favor of Rappler, Upholding Press Freedom

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — In a significant legal victory for press freedom, a Philippine appeals court has sided with the online news agency Rappler, ordering the restoration of its incorporation certificates. This decision, made public on Friday, overturns a 2018 shutdown order that had been issued amid criticisms of former President Rodrigo Duterte's administration, particularly regarding its controversial anti-drug campaign and human rights violations. The ruling, dated July 23, has raised questions about whether the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will appeal. Rappler, co-founded by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa, has been embroiled in legal battles since it was accused of violating a constitutional ban on foreign investments in local media. The government claimed that funding from the Omidyar Network, established by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar, compromised the agency's independence. However, Rappler has consistently denied these allegations, asserting that Omidyar did not exert control over its operations. The court's ruling criticized the 2018 shutdown order as one made with "grave abuse of discretion," highlighting procedural violations and constitutional intent. Duterte's administration has maintained that the legal actions against Ressa and Rappler were not attacks on press freedom but rather standard judicial processes. The Philippines remains one of the most perilous countries for journalists, with a history of violence against media workers, including the infamous 2009 Maguindanao massacre, which claimed the lives of 58 individuals, including 32 journalists. The ongoing threats to press freedom underscore the challenges faced by journalists in the nation.