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Friday, March 29, 2024

Defending press freedom is defending democracy

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The Securities and Exchange Commission ordered the revocation of Rappler’s license for being “liable for violating the Constitutional and statutory Foreign Equity Restrictions in Mass Media enforceable through rules and laws within the mandate of the Commission.” The SEC ruled that Rappler is foreign-owned and controlled, which is a violation of the Constitution.

Rappler is known to be critical of the Duterte administration and the administration does not take criticisms well.

President Duterte himself in his State-of-the-Nation Address openly lambasted Rappler and threatened to have the online news agency investigated for being foreign-owned. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque denied that the Palace had a hand in the investigation of Rappler. However, in an interview, SEC’s Armand Pan said that what started the investigation was a formal request from the Office of the Solicitor General.

Mention of such formal request was actually made in the SEC decision which said in part, “On 22 December 2016, the Commission En Banc received a letter dated 14 December from the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) requesting an investigation into Rappler and Rappler Holdings Corporation for any possible contravention of the strict requirements of the 1987 Constitution with regard to issuances of Philippine Depository Receipts to NBM Rappler, LP, and Omidyar Network Fund LLC in 2015.”

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Clearly, therefore, despite Roque’s denial, the fact is that the investigation was sought by the OSG which is under the Executive Department headed by the President.

SolGen Jose Calida was also reported to have said that the Department of Justice (DOJ) will also investigate Rappler for possible criminal charges under the Anti-Dummy Law or Commonwealth Act 108. This law makes illegal foreign intervention in the operation, administration, and management, or control nationalized businesses, whether as officers or employees, with or without compensation.

For his part, DOJ Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre has directed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe Rappler’s possible violation of the Constitution and other laws. Aguirre’s Department Order 17 authorized the NBI to do a case build-up against Rappler.

On top of these, Rappler’s Chief Executive Officer and Reynaldo Santos Jr., a former reporter of the online news site, were issued subpoenas and summoned by the NBI over a complaint by businessman Wilfredo Keng under the cybercrime law.

Ordering the closure of a media outfit has not been done in the history of a democratic Philippines. The last time something like this happened was during the time of the Marcos dictatorship.

All the events point to the obvious that this administration wants Rappler out of its way.

This is a grave affront against freedom of expression, a hallowed right under our present Constitution, the same Constitution that this administration wants to change.

If they succeed in closing Rappler down, it will set a very dangerous precedent. What is being done to Rappler can be done to other media practitioners and outfits that are critical of this administration. This sends a chilling effect to all media.

It will be remembered that prior to the Rappler issue, Duterte also went after the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Moreover, the President subjected ABS-CBN and the Lopezes to repeated tirades. Will they be targeted next?

I have said in previous pieces that it seems that this administration wants total control of the country and is doing everything to get it.

Critical voices from within and outside government are being silenced. Cases are filed against the opposition as exemplified by what they did and are doing against Senator Leila de Lima. Budgets are withheld from opposition Representatives like Edcel Lagman, Kaka Bag-ao, and Teddy Baguilat. Recently, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez also said that he is removing the budgets of provinces whose governors do not support the move to federalism.

Impeachment raps have been filed against Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno who is also known to have her own mind and who is supposed to stay in office even after the incumbent officials have finished their terms. Duterte’s administration most probably wants to put someone “friendlier” to them.

And now they are going after independent media. The issue is not only against Rappler but against all of us who hold the right to freedom of speech and expression. This issue goes to the very heart of our democratic way of life.

If they succeed in scaring other media outfits, and closing down those who go against their questionable moves, where will people get factual news from? How are we going to form informed opinions? How are we to demand transparency and accountability from public servants?

The Filipino people need to wake up and see that our freedoms and rights are being eroded. We have the right to information. We have the right to express our opinions whether pro or against anyone without the threat of being harassed and/or abused.

We do not want our media to be controlled by the powers-that-be. A controlled media is a controlled nation. And a controlled nation is not a democracy. Control the media and you kill democracy. We are the sovereign Filipino people and we must assert this sovereignty.

Defend freedom of the press. Defend democracy.

bethangsioco@gmail.com @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

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