MARIA RESSA

The United Nations’ educational, scientific and cultural agency chief is urging a global conversation on the regulation of social media and its role in the spread of misinformation in order to make the internet a safer place.

The Nobel laureate has a to-do list with three things on it: avoid prison, fix the entire internet, save democracy.

"Today, facts win" declared a defiant Ressa, who still faces other charges in a long-running legal battle with the government she calls "a brazen abuse of power."

The Nobel Peace Prize winner and her news company were cleared of tax evasion charges she said were among many legal cases used by ex-Philippine President Duterte to try to muzzle critical reporting.

MANILA, Philippines — (AP) — Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa and her online news company were cleared Wednesday of tax evasion charges she said were among a slew of legal cases used by former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to try to muzzle critical reporting. The Court of Tax Appeals ruled that prosecutors failed to prove “beyond reasonable doubt” that Ressa and Rappler Holdings Corp. evaded tax payments in four instances after raising capital through partnerships with two foreign investors. Ressa won the Nobel with Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov in 2021 for fighting for the survival of their news organizations, defying government efforts to shut them. The tax court ruled that the Philippine Depositary Receipts issued by Rappler were non-taxable, removing the basis of the tax evasion charges filed by Justice Department prosecutors under Duterte. The massive drug killings sparked an investigation by the International Criminal Court as a possible crime against humanity.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa and her news company have been cleared of tax evasion charges she said were among legal cases used by former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to try to muzzle critical reporting.

The charges had been filed against the journalist and her Rappler news site by the administration of former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte.

In 2013, Ressa laid out her forward-looking vision for the future of public service journalism to me. Her book traces a humbling, harrowing journey from social media advocate to democracy defender.

The protesters, led by a Philippines-based rights group, gathered at a public square in Manila before marching toward the presidential palace to demand justice for victims. Police estimated around 800 protesters took part in the rally, which coincided with International Human Rights Day. “Despite these sordid figures there has been zero justice for the victims of extrajudicial killings,” Palabay said in a statement. The U.N. Human Rights Council has urged the Marcos administration to address the killings and other rights abuses. The government has said it is committed to protecting human rights, citing reforms in the country’s judicial system.

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Filipino journalist Maria Ressa railed against free speech saying government needed to step in and censor disinformation on Facebook, Twitter to save democracy.

This year’s Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to jailed Belarus rights activist Ales Bialiatski, the Russian group Memorial and the Ukrainian organization Center for Civil Liberties.

WASHINGTON — (AP) — Winning the Nobel Peace Prize often provides a boost for a grassroots activist or international group working for peace and human rights, opening doors and elevating the causes for which they fight. For the two journalists who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021, the past year has not been easy. All other major independent Russian media either closed down or had their websites blocked. One bright spot came in June, when his Nobel Peace Prize sold at auction for $103.5 million, shattering the old record for a Nobel. “And that’s not allowed in our rules, in our law.”The 2022 Nobel Peace Prize will be announced on Friday in Oslo.

When the Nobel Peace Prize is announced on Friday, it could provide a boost for a grassroots activist or international group working for peace and human rights.

Mabasa, who used the broadcast name Percy Lapid, was critical of former President Rodrigo Duterte and his successor, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

This year’s Nobel Prize season approaches as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has shattered decades of almost uninterrupted peace in Europe and raised the risks of a nuclear disaster.

The appeals court's ruling also extended the proscribed jail time from a maximum of six years, adding an additional eight months and 20 days to the sentences.

The Philippines strongman is retiring after a career fighting drugs and crime that left thousands dead.

The Nobel Prize winning Philippine journalist and her outlet have been locked in a battle over free speech with President Rodrigo Duterte's government for years.

Maria Ressa, the first Filipino Nobel Peace Prize recipient, says the government is closing Rappler, which gained notoriety for its reporting of President Duterte's bloody crackdown on illegal drugs.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa says her Rappler news website is operating as usual and will let Philippine courts decide on an order to close the outlet.

Maria Ressa-Rapppler Shutdown Order FILE - Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa, from the Philippines, attends a news conference in Oslo, Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021. The Philippines' Securities and Exchange Commission affirmed its earlier decision to revoke the certificates of incorporation of Rappler, Ressa said while speaking at the East-West Center in Honolulu. “Part of the reason I didn’t have much sleep last night is because we essentially got a shutdown order,” Ressa told the audience. Last year, Ressa became the first ever Filipino and first working journalist in more than 80 years to win the Nobel Peace Prize. The Philippines' Securities and Exchange Commission revoked Rappler's license over what it ruled was a breach of the ban on foreign ownership and control of media outlets.

Maria Ressa-Rapppler Shutdown Order FILE - Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa, from the Philippines, attends a news conference in Oslo, Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021. The Philippines' Securities and Exchange Commission affirmed its earlier decision to revoke the certificates of incorporation of Rappler, Ressa said while speaking at the East-West Center in Honolulu. “Part of the reason I didn’t have much sleep last night is because we essentially got a shutdown order,” Ressa told the audience. Last year, Ressa became the first ever Filipino and first working journalist in more than 80 years to win the Nobel Peace Prize. The Philippines' Securities and Exchange Commission revoked Rappler's license over what it ruled was a breach of the ban on foreign ownership and control of media outlets.

Filipino journalist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa announced in a speech in Hawaii Tuesday that the Philippine government is affirming a previous order to shut down Rappler, the news website she co-founded, which has gained notoriety for its reporting of President Rodrigo Duterte's bloody crackdown on illegal drugs. The Philippines' Securities and Exchange Commission affirmed its earlier decision to revoke the certificates of incorporation of Rappler, Ressa said while speaking at the East-West Center in Honolulu. Last year, Ressa became the first ever Filipino and first working journalist in more than 80 years to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

Nobel Peace laureate Dmitry Muratov says he was not expecting the medal he was auctioning off to help Ukrainian child refugees sell for the record amount of $103.5 million.

Maria Ressa and her staff at Rappler exposed the family’s false narratives, but social-media mythmaking prevailed in a historic election in the Philippines.

World Press Freedom Day, May 3, highlights attempts to silence journalists such as Maria Ressa in the Philippines.

The Nobel Prize–winning journalist Maria Ressa in conversation with The Atlantic’s executive editor Adrienne LaFrance

Nobel Peace Prize-winning newspaper editor Dmitry Muratov says he was attacked on a Russian train by an assailant who poured red paint on him, causing severe discomfort to his eyes.

Russia’s leading independent newspaper has suspended operations under pressure from the authorities.

Ressa, the co-founder and CEO of Rappler, will write for The Atlantic about democracy, press freedom, and the social web.

Photo Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast/GettyEverything old is new again in the Philippines where family names, wealth, and a virulent internet dominate a tumultuous race for the next president.The image of Ferdinand Marcos, who ruled as a profligate dictator for two decades, shines brighter than ever nearly 36 years after he and his free-spending wife, Imelda, were tossed out in the bloodless “People Power Revolution” and flown with family and cronies—and $77 million worth of c

"If you're working in tech, I'm talking to you," Rappler CEO Maria Ressa said. She later added, "What happens on social media doesn't stay on social media."

Norway Nobel Peace Prize Nobel Peace Prize winners Dmitry Muratov from Russia, right, and Maria Ressa of the Philippines bow to the crowd during the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony at Oslo City Hall, Norway, Friday, Dec. 10, 2021. The Norwegian Nobel Committee cited Ressa and Muratov's fight for freedom of expression, stressing that it is vital in promoting peace. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko) (Alexander Zemlianichenko)COPENHAGEN, Denmark — (AP) — The two journalists who shared this year's Nobel Peace Prize received their awards Friday during a pomp-filled ceremony in Norway, where both warned that the world needs independent reporting to counter the power of authoritarian governments. Maria Ressa of the Philippines and fellow laureate Dmitry Muratov of Russia gave their Nobel lectures at Oslo City Hall. The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded them the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize for their separate fights for freedom of expression in countries where reporters have faced persistent attacks, harassment and killings.

The two journalists who shared this year’s Nobel Peace Prize have received their awards during a pomp-filled ceremony in Norway.

Norway Nobel Peace Prize Filipino journalist Maria Ressa sits with fellow peace Prize winner Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov, during a press conference, at the Nobel Institute, a day prior to the award ceremony, in Oslo, Norway, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. (Torstein Boe/Pool Photo via AP) (Torstein Boe)COPENHAGEN, Denmark — (AP) — Media worldwide should join forces in “fighting for facts” amid threats to press freedoms instead of competing with each other, Maria Ressa, joint winner of the 2021 Nobel Peace prize, said Thursday on the eve of the award ceremony in Norway's capital. “So, no, so far press freedom is under threat. Ressa is the first person from the Philippines to win the Nobel Peace prize. Last year, she was convicted of libel and sentenced to jail in a decision seen as a major blow to press global freedom.

Media freedom continues to be under attack across much of the world in 2021 with nine journalists killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan alone and 102 imprisoned in China.

Finland Nobel Peace Nobel Peace Prize winner Dmitry Muratov from Russia looks out of the window during a stopover at Helsinki airport in Finland, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021. Muratov is heading to Oslo in Norway where he will be awarded the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize along with fellow journalist Maria Ressa of the Philippines. The Norwegian Nobel Committee cited their fight for freedom of expression, stressing that it is vital in promoting peace. The winners of the 2021 peace prize, journalists Maria Ressa of the Philippines and Dmitry Muratov of Russia, plan to attend the ceremony. A Thursday press conference featuring the pair will take place online “due to COVID restrictions,” the Norwegian Nobel Committee said Wednesday.

The Norwegian government is introducing a 10-person limit for gatherings at private homes to counter an uptick in COVID-19 cases, although the number will be increased to 20 on Christmas and New Year’s eves.

Winners of the 2021 Nobel Prizes are receiving their awards in scaled-down local ceremonies adapted for pandemic times.

Ressa, co-winner of the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize, spoke on issues including press freedom during the interview. — (AP) — One month since she was named the first Filipino to win the Nobel Peace Prize, journalist Maria Ressa says much still remains uncertain about her life. Because I've done nothing wrong except be a journalist, and that is the price we have to pay. This is fundamental.”Ressa, who along with co-winner and Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov became the first working journalists in more than 80 years to win the Nobel Peace Prize, is wrapping up a monthlong stint as a visiting fellow at Harvard. Ressa will also have to get court approval to attend the Nobel Prize award ceremony in Oslo, Norway, on Dec. 10.

Maria Ressa says much still remains uncertain about her life one month after her historic Nobel Peace Prize win.

Netherlands Journalist Killing Tribunal FILE - Rappler CEO and Executive Editor Maria Ressa reacts during an interview at a restaurant in Taguig city, Philippines on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. A 'people's tribunal' opened Tuesday that aims to highlight the number of journalists around the world murdered for doing their job and the widespread impunity for their killers. In at least 900 of these cases, journalists were killed in direct reprisal for their work. “Each of these cases are marked by continued impunity, without concrete perspective for justice in the country in question,” the tribunal indictment states. A tribunal opened in London in June to establish whether China's alleged rights abuses against the Uyghur people amounted to genocide.

.A “people’s tribunal” has opened in the Netherlands to highlight the number of journalists around the world who were killed for doing their jobs. The tribunal, convened by a group of press freedom organizations, has no powers to sanction perpetrators. Instead, it plans to present evidence to raise awareness about journalists targeted to silence their reporting. The first hearing took place on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, an observance declared by the...

Ressa, a Filipino American journalist, discusses the revelations that Facebook knows just how dangerous it is. Plus, the Nigerian literary giant Wole Soyinka on political activism and art.

Facebook Papers Mideast Maid Abuse FILE – In this March 13, 2019, file photo, Facebook, Messenger and Instagram apps are displayed on an iPhone, in New York. Representatives from Facebook, Google, Twitter and TikTok will be questioned by members of a parliamentary committee scrutinizing the British government's draft online safety legislation. Governments on both sides of the Atlantic want tougher rules aimed at protecting social media users, especially younger ones, but the United Kingdom's efforts are much further along. She said time is running out to regulate social media companies that use artificial intelligence systems to determine what content people see. They're also trying to get a handle on misinformation that flourishes on social media.

British lawmakers have grilled Facebook and other tech giants over how they handle online safety.

Imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, whom many regarded as a top candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize, is congratulating countryman Dmitry Muratov for winning it.

Philippines Nobel Peace Prize FILE - In this Oct. 9, 2021, file photo, Rappler CEO and Executive Editor Maria Ressa gestures during an interview at a restaurant in Taguig city, Philippines. It was the first time the Duterte administration has publicly reacted to Ressa's victory since she won the award Friday. Jose conceded that journalists have been killed after attacking local politicians and officials under Duterte — similar to what had happened under his predecessors. The Norwegian Nobel Committee noted that Ressa’s Rappler news site which was set up in 2012 has put a spotlight on Duterte’s “controversial, murderous anti-drug campaign” in the Philippines. Thirty-two of those gunned down were local reporters and media workers in the world's single worst recorded attack on journalists.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration has belatedly congratulated journalist Maria Ressa for being one of two winners of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.

The importance of journalists who take considerable risks to bring people the truth has been recognized by the Nobel committee.

As a new Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Russian newspaper editor Dmitry Muratov has downplфyed the buzz around his name.

Journalists Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov won the Nobel Peace Prize for risking their lives in the Phillipines and Russia, respectively.

Nobel Peace Prize FILE - A combo of file images of Novaya Gazeta editor Dmitry Muratov, left, and of Rappler CEO and Executive Editor Maria Ressa. On Friday, Oct. 8, 2021 the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to journalists Maria Ressa of the Philippines and Dmitry Muratov of Russia for their fight for freedom of expression. This Nobel Peace Prize is a powerful recognition of their tireless work, and that of journalists all around the world. —-“The Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines congratulates journalist Maria Ressa on being the first Filipino to win a Nobel Peace Prize. I congratulate Dmitry Muratov, a wonderful, brave and honest journalist and my friend.” — Former Soviet leader and 1990 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mikhail Gorbachev, a co-founder and co-owner of Novaya Gazeta, in an interview with Interfax.

The Nobel committee cited their fight for freedom of expression as crucial to promoting peace.

Nobel Peace Prize Russia Philippines FILE - In this Jan. 19, 2018, file photo, journalists and supporters display their messages during a protest against the recent Securities and Exchange Commission's revocation of the registration of Rappler, an online news outfit, northeast of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File) (Bullit Marquez)MOSCOW — (AP) — The Nobel Peace Prize sometimes recognizes groundbreaking efforts to resolve seemingly intractable conflicts, such as once-sworn enemies who sat down and brokered an end to war. What does the selection of two journalists, Maria Ressa, 58, of the Philippines and Dmitry Muratov, 59, of Russia, say about freedom of expression and the history of dissent in the countries of the 2021 peace prize winners? RUSSIADmitry Muratov is part of a historic cycle that links him to two other Russian winners of the Nobel Peace Prize. Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev allowed Sakharov to return from the exile in 1986, and went on to win the 1990 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end the Cold War.

The Nobel Peace Prize sometimes recognizes groundbreaking efforts to resolve seemingly intractable conflicts.

Nobel Peace Prize FILE - A combo of file images of Novaya Gazeta editor Dmitry Muratov, left, and of Rappler CEO and Executive Editor Maria Ressa. On Friday, Oct. 8, 2021 the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to journalists Maria Ressa of the Philippines and Dmitry Muratov of Russia for their fight for freedom of expression. This Nobel Peace Prize is a powerful recognition of their tireless work, and that of journalists all around the world. —-“The Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines congratulates journalist Maria Ressa on being the first Filipino to win a Nobel Peace Prize. Gorbachev gave part of his Nobel prize money to the newspaper to help it buy office equipment.

Journalists, human rights groups and other activists enthusiastically welcomed the awarding of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize to two journalists at a time when media groups around the world face new pressures and crackdowns from the authorities.

In a year that drew 329 candidates for the peace prize, the committee opted for journalists.

Nobel Peace Prize FILE - A combo of file images of Novaya Gazeta editor Dmitry Muratov, left, and of Rappler CEO and Executive Editor Maria Ressa. On Friday, Oct. 8, 2021 the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to journalists Maria Ressa of the Philippines and Dmitry Muratov of Russia for their fight for freedom of expression. The Nobel committee noted that Ressa in 2012 co-founded Rappler, a news website that has focused critical attention on President Rodrigo Duterte "controversial, murderous anti-drug campaign" in the Philippines. “We will use it to shore up Russian journalism that has faced repressions,” he said in comments carried by a Russian messaging app channel. The Nobel committee noted that since the launch of the newspaper, six of its journalists have been killed, among them Anna Politkovskaya, who covered Russia's bloody conflict in Chechnya.

Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov were cited for their fight for freedom of the press against repressive regimes.

Maria Ressa of the Philippines and Dmitry Muratov of Russia were cited for their fight for freedom of expression.

The 2021 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to journalists Maria Ressa of the Philippines and Dmitry Muratov of Russia.

On Friday, Oct. 8, 2021 the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to journalists Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov for the fight for freedom of expression in the Philippines and in Russia. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila, file) (Aaron Favila)OSLO — (AP) — The 2021 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded Friday to journalists Maria Ressa of the Philippines and Dmitry Muratov of Russia. “We can congratulate Dmitry Muratov — he has consistently worked in accordance with his ideals, he has adhered to his ideals, he’s talented and brave. The prize money comes from a bequest left by the prize’s creator, Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel, who died in 1895. ___Read more stories about Nobel Prizes past and present by The Associated Press at https://www.apnews.com/NobelPrizesCopyright 2021 The Associated Press.

The 2021 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression. This is a breaking news story, please check back later for more.

Journalists Maria Ressa of the Philippines and Dmitry Muratov of Russia have won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Tech experts on how to fix the internet The attack on the U.S. Capitol proved viral conspiracies on the web have real world consequences. They still continue to be disseminated even after social media platforms have cracked down on this type of content. CBS News technology reporter Dan Patterson spoke to venture capitalist Roger McNamee, Filipino journalist Maria Ressa and Cambridge Analytica whistleblower Christopher Wylie about their ideas on how to fix these issues on the internet. Patterson joins CBSN's Elaine Quijano with more on his reporting.

The film won best feature at the Gotham Awards on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. Opening the show, Jeffrey Sharp, executive director of the Gotham Film & Media Institute, predicted that there would be “glitches and gremlins” throughout the event. All of the films nominated for best feature were directed by women, including lead-nominee getter “First Cow,” by Kelly Reichardt. Zhao, whose “The Rider” won best feature at the Gothams two years ago, thanked the festivals that, like the Gothams, carried on despite the trying circumstances. Nicole Behaire won best actress for “Miss Juneteenth.” “Oh, my God,” she mouthed while still on mute.

“The Midnight Sky,” which Clooney directed and stars in, is an apocalyptic sci-fi drama with some striking solitude. Debuting Wednesday on Netflix, “The Midnight Sky,” based on Lily Brooks-Dalton's novel “Good Morning, Midnight," is Clooney's seventh film as director and his biggest scaled production yet. ___AP: You finished shooting “The Midnight Sky” in February, right before the pandemic began. AP: What drew you to “The Midnight Sky”? I know people who are older -- older than me, even -- who live with real regret.

The 2020 Reykjavík Global Forum is taking place from Monday, November 9 through Wednesday, November 11 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET daily, and will feature notable speakers such as former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Belarus opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, and veteran journalist Maria Ressa. How to watch the summitWhat: Women Political Leaders hosts its annual Reykjavík Global Forum, featuring pioneering women from a variety of backgrounds and expertise. Women Political Leaders hosts its annual Reykjavík Global Forum, featuring pioneering women from a variety of backgrounds and expertise. The event is expected to be Hillary Clinton's first public speaking engagement following the 2020 U.S. election.

The 2020 Reykjavík Global Forum is taking place from Monday, November 9 through Wednesday, November 11 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET daily, and will feature notable speakers such as former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Belarus opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, and veteran journalist Maria Ressa. How to watch the summitWhat: Women Political Leaders hosts its annual Reykjavík Global Forum, featuring pioneering women from a variety of backgrounds and expertise. Women Political Leaders hosts its annual Reykjavík Global Forum, featuring pioneering women from a variety of backgrounds and expertise. The event is expected to be Hillary Clinton's first public speaking engagement following the 2020 U.S. election.

OAKLAND, Calif. – A group of prominent Facebook critics, including one of the social network's early investors and a journalist facing jail time in the Philippines, are launching their version of an “oversight board” to rival the company's own. The group says Facebook is taking too long to set up its oversight panel, which they argue is too limited in its scope and autonomy. The announcement Friday comes a day after Facebook said its own, quasi-independent oversight board, which has faced numerous delays since the company announced its creation in 2018, will launch in October. The first four board members were directly chosen by Facebook. Facebook also pays the board members’ salaries.

FILE - In this July 1, 2020, file photo, Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai pauses during an interview in Hong Kong. Governments around the world are taking advantage of the coronavirus pandemic to justify crackdowns on press freedom. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu, File)Governments around the world are taking advantage of the coronavirus pandemic to justify or to divert attention from crackdowns on press freedom. Jimmy Lai's arrest in Hong Kong, for instance, shortly followed enactment of a new national security law that gives China more power to squash dissent in Hong Kong. We dont see the robust condemnation that we would expect from the U.S. over press freedom crackdowns or deaths of journalists in custody, Radsch said.

And I thought, Oh, doesnt matter. I laughed, said the countrys most well-known journalist and leader of the independent Rappler news organization. But the film shows how Dutertes populist campaign harnessed the platform to spread its message and target Ressa and other journalists. Social media, the tech platforms have created a system where lies laced with anger and hate spread faster than facts. She is seen in the film repeatedly pleading with Facebook representatives to delete violent posts or cut live streams. Diaz, who spoke from her home in Baltimore, hopes her film can help protect Ressa and other independent journalists.

(AP Photo/Aaron Favila)WASHINGTON The Trump administration has offered a muted and belated expression of concern over the convictions of two Philippines journalists on criminal libel charges. A one-sentence State Department statement titled On Press Freedom in the Philippines and released on Tuesday nearly 48 hours after a Manila court pronounced the convictions may raise new questions about the U.S. commitment to supporting press freedom abroad. Ressa and Santos were convicted Monday of libeling a wealthy businessman in a decision that human rights activists called a major blow to press freedom in an Asian bastion of democracy. Repeated requests for State Department comment about the case on Monday went unanswered. She posted bail for the case last year and will study possible appeals in the next 15 days, Te said.

(AP Photo/Aaron Favila)NEW YORK The conviction of two Philippine journalists for libel is a blow to press freedom and comes as media watchdogs track declines in press freedoms and democratic institutions around the world. Philippine officials have maintained that the criminal complaints against Ressa and Rappler are not a press freedom issue. But the conviction is the latest move by the government to intimidate journalists, said Reporters Without Borders, which tracks press freedoms. Democracies are restricting press freedom more and more, he said. The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker has tracked more than 400 incidents in 60 cities.

Ressa's verdict is expected to be announced Monday for a cyber libel case. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)MANILA An award-winning journalist critical of the Philippine president was convicted of libel and sentenced to jail Monday in a decision called a major blow to press freedom in an Asian bastion of democracy. The Manila court found Maria Ressa, her online news site Rappler Inc. and former reporter Reynaldo Santos Jr. guilty of libeling a wealthy businessman. The site's lawyers disputed any malice and said the time limit for filing the libel complaint had passed. Duterte has openly lashed out against the owner of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, a leading daily.

Supporters of ABS-CBN, the country's top broadcast network, hold a rally against the Philippine government's move to scrap its franchises, in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, February 10, 2020. Eloisa Lopez/REUTERSManila The Philippine government ordered the country's largest broadcast network, ABS-CBN, to stop broadcasting immediately on Tuesday after its license expired. The network, which employs about 11,000 people, went off the air on free TV and radio across the Philippines on Tuesday evening. Duterte's bloody war on drugsDuterte accepted an apology from ABS-CBN President Carlo Katigbak in a Senate hearing in February. "The order threatens press freedom at a time when the public needs an unfettered press the most," the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines said in a statement.

Several foreign journalists have been arrested in Indonesia in recent years for visa violations, usually for filming or reporting without the required journalist visa. In practice, analysts say, getting a journalist visa is difficult and time-consuming, requiring the approval of 18 government ministries. In a short video released by Mongabay, Jacobson is shown saying: I really, really, really appreciate everything everyone is doing for me. The farmers argue that massive palm oil plantations, which clear land for their crop, are the main culprits in the fires. The direction it is going in is oligarchy, and all these oligarchs have an interest in palm oil.