Philippine Court Restores Rappler's License

A Philippine court has mandated the restoration of Rappler's license, a news organization co-founded by Nobel laureate Maria Ressa, known for her critical stance against former President Rodrigo Duterte. The Court of Appeals issued this ruling on July 23, reversing a prior decision by the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that had ordered the news site’s closure. This earlier ruling, upheld just before Duterte's departure from office in 2022, had sparked a series of legal challenges for Rappler. The court's decision, which was made public on Friday, was celebrated by Rappler as a significant victory for journalism, emphasizing the importance of speaking truth to power. The Court of Appeals condemned the SEC's 2018 shutdown order as "illegal" and a "grave abuse of discretion," reinforcing the notion that independent journalism can endure despite governmental pressures. Rappler has continued its operations while appealing the SEC's ruling. The legal troubles for Rappler stem from a 2015 investment by the U.S.-based Omidyar Network, which raised concerns over foreign ownership in Philippine media. Rappler contended that Omidyar was merely a silent partner, and the investment was later transferred to local managers to mitigate threats of closure from the Duterte administration. Human Rights Watch researcher Carlos Conde hailed the court's ruling as a long-overdue affirmation of justice. Maria Ressa, currently on bail following a 2020 cyber-libel conviction, is appealing her case to the Supreme Court and faces potential imprisonment related to the Omidyar investment.