A Philippine court has overturned a shutdown order issued against Rappler, an independent news outlet known for its scrutiny of former President Rodrigo Duterte. The court ruled that Rappler was “wholly owned and managed by Filipinos,” rejecting allegations that it violated restrictions on foreign ownership in media.
The shutdown order was issued in 2018 during Duterte’s administration. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had accused Rappler, co-founded by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa, of violating these restrictions. However, the court of appeals overturned the order last month, finding the SEC’s interpretation of the law to be “draconian” and an “abuse of discretion.”
Rappler welcomed the judgment, calling it “a vindication after eight long years of harassment.” The outlet claimed that the Duterte government had used the SEC order to “unleash its power to further harass us, our employees, our stakeholders, and our communities.”
Rappler and its journalists have faced a wave of harassment, threats, and legal charges over the years, many of which have been dismissed or withdrawn. Duterte, known for his hostility towards independent media, left office in 2022 and was succeeded by Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Despite the recent victory, Rappler still faces two outstanding cases: a cyberlibel conviction against Ressa and Reynaldo Santos Jr., which is under review by the Supreme Court, and accusations of violating the “anti-dummy law,” preventing foreigners from using Filipinos as proxies.
The SEC’s next move regarding the recent judgment remains unclear. Duterte, who has denied political motivations behind the legal cases, has previously called for violence against corrupt journalists. Earlier this year, UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan highlighted the Philippines as one of the most dangerous places for journalists.
