MANILA — The head of a Philippine news website that has locked horns with President Rodrigo Duterte was freed on bail Thursday, a day after her widely condemned arrest on libel charges that critics say is a government effort to bully journalists. Maria Ressa, the award-winning head of news platform Rappler, was served a warrant live on television at her office on Wednesday for what media watchdogs said were trumped-up charges aimed at intimidating those who challenge Duterte’s rule. “What we’re seeing is death by a thousand cuts of our democracy,” said Ressa, who was selected by Time magazine last year as one of its Persons of the Year. “You have to express outrage and do it now. Press freedom is not just about journalists, is not just about us, it’s not just about me, it’s not just about Rappler. Press freedom is the foundation of every single right of every Filipino to the truth,” she told reporters after posting bail. Duterte has openly lambasted journalists who write unfavorable stories about him, including about his anti-drug campaign that has left thousands of mostly poor suspects dead. Ressa is accused of cyber libel over a 2012 Rappler article that linked a Filipino businessman to murder, human trafficking and drug smuggling. Rappler cited information contained in a 2002 intelligence report but did not say which agency compiled it. The businessman’s lawyer says the information was wrong and that the article was defamatory and that he wants to clear his name. Duterte has… [Read full story]
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