Philippines libel trial of journalist critical of Rodrigo Duterte begins

"A libel trial against the editor of Rappler, a Philippine news site critical of the regime of President Rodrigo Duterte, has begun in a case widely seen as an attempt by the government to intimidate journalists and curtail press freedom.

Maria Ressa was arrested and held overnight in February on charges of cyberlibel for a story published by Rappler in 2012, before being released on bail. She described the charges as “preposterous and baseless”.

In a statement on Tuesday, the first day of the trial, Ressa said: “This case of cyberlibel stretches the rule of law until it breaks.”

She said: “How this is decided will have an impact on all Filipinos who post on Facebook – and of course, the quality of journalism in the digital age in the Philippines.”

It was the eleventh time in 18 months that Ressa had been hit with criminal charges relating to Rappler, in what many believe is a targeted, government-led witch-hunt against the news organisation."

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...urnalist-critical-of-president-duterte-begins

Well at least she's getting a trial, not a bullet.

glad to see you and mark supporting a free press

Doesn't everyone ?

Yes..
Problem is that socialist liberals interpret fake news as real life.
It`s a bit like why adults read small children mythical nursery rhymes at bed time in order to help attain blissful slumber.

We do.

Oss posted the following:

and you indicated your agreement by clicking on the green tick-mark. For the benefit of those of us who can not (easily) listen to Radio 4 and therefore missed this probably very interesting interview, can you tell us what the good points Oss refers to were?

Fair enough, thank you for that .

Ah. That's not good.

I do not need to use my "imagination" in order to interpret a fake news agenda.
All I need do is open my eyes and see the reality.
People like you have an endless and unlimited supply of imagination and can interpret fake news in all kinds of clever and interesting ways.

Duterte calls Rappler 'fake news outlet'

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – President Rodrigo Duterte referred to Rappler as a "fake news outlet" as he ranted about a recent article published on the site about his aide, Special Assistant to the President Bong Go.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/193806-duterte-fake-news-outlet


I am certainly not taking any sides in this matter but I will say this.
Philippine mass media on the whole are an absolute and inaccurate laughing stock!
It`s also said to be the most dangerous place in the world to be a journalist and that does not surprise me.
Local journalists here should apply for asylum in the UK IMO under the humanitarian rights mantra .
The UK`s Daily Star, the Sun or The Guardian or any of the other fake spin outlets over there would welcome them with open arms. They would fit right in.

Here`s an interesting take on Philippine journalism.


The Philippine Media Is So Addicted to Objectivity That It’s Practically Worthless.

We often hear journalists today pride themselves for abiding to high ethical standards and “excellence,” which they think they maintain by upholding the norms of “objectivity.” This is a big load of bullcrap.

First of all,
objective journalism is as real as pokémons.

Second, when media focuses too much on trying too hard to appear impartial, it is actually doing this nation a huge disservice. Here is why.

Most stories are way too complicated than what the media tries to portray them to be, which is simply black or white. Left or right. Pro or anti. They have many, many, many perspectives. The debate on abortion is often boiled down to the pro or anti-life dichotomy, but that leaves out a lot of other valid, rational viewpoints.

What about the point of view of the woman who becomes pregnant due to an act of either rape or incest? What about the point of view of scientists who have a better sense of the significance of the new findings regarding the discourse? Aren’t these important in helping decide on the national debate on the legalization of abortion?

And how about stories that have no valid other side? In the media’s deluded desire to be seen as unbiased (and to accumulate ratings or views or to avoid offending a cohort), they present another side.

For example, the objective reality is that the use of contraceptives is not murder and is an essential part of the promotion of reproductive health and population management and that’s a good thing. End of story. The sanctity of marriage is bullshit. End of story. Gay people exist and they have rights as human beings. End of story.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/philippine-media-objectivity_b_8446318

Here is an example of the UK press blatantly publishing fake stories that then spread to the international FNN.
The actual original source of this hog wash was the UK`s daily star.
This happens just about every day and if people in the UK do not understand just how dangerous of a precedent that this presents in any so called decent society,then you are already doomed.



Tommy Robinson ‘punched in the shower by inmate, 70, for acting like a celebrity’

Tommy Robinson was punched in the jaw by a 70-year-old fellow inmate because he was acting ‘like a celebrity’, a source has claimed. The English Defence League (EDL) founder, 36, is said to have been ‘decked’ in the shower on his first day in prison, according to Daily Star Sunday. However, it was not recorded as an assault because Robinson told staff at HMP Belmarsh ‘he had slipped’. A source told the publication: ‘There was a bit of pushing then one prisoner, a 70-year-old, very hard pensioner, decked Robinson with a punch in the jaw. ‘He didn’t have any idea who had hit, but he wasn’t going to back down. Those are the rules in Belmarsh, you fight or back down.’ The source added: ‘If you come into the prison and start acting like you are the boss they will take you down quickly.’


Read more: https://metro.co.uk/2019/07/21/tomm...0-acting-like-celebrity-10435822/?ito=cbshare

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