Lawyers for ‘cyber libel’ journalist condemn prison sentence

Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC

Maria Ressa, an award-winning journalist and former CNN bureau chief, was yesterday fined around €7,050 and sentenced to a minimum of six months and a maximum of six years in prison for libelling businessman Wilfredo Keng in an article published on her news site, Rappler.

Ms Ressa, who was convicted alongside reporter Reynaldo Santos Jr, has been released on bail pending appeal. There are seven further cases remaining pending against her, exposing her potentially to decades in prison.

The pending cases, which allege illegal foreign media ownership of her news site and alleged tax offences, have been characterised as “persecution” by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines.

Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC, one of the most prominent Irish barristers in London, and Amal Clooney of Doughty Street Chambers issued a statement yesterday on behalf of the international legal team acting for Ms Ressa.

Ms Gallagher said: “Independent journalism in the Philippines is an act of bravery. At least 16 journalists have been killed since President Duterte came to office in 2016, and today’s verdict comes just weeks since the country’s largest media network was shut down.

“Maria Ressa’s conviction on baseless charges, for an article she did not write, under a draconian law which did not exist when the article was published, is an ugly stain on the Philippines’ reputation. The international community must condemn this grave attack on independent journalism and media freedom in the strongest terms.”

Ms Clooney said: “Today a court in the Philippines became complicit in a sinister action to silence a journalist for exposing corruption and abuse. This conviction is an affront to the rule of law, a stark warning to the press, and a blow to democracy in the Philippines.

“I hope that the appeals court will set the record straight in this case. And that the United States will take action to protect their citizen and the values of their Constitution.”

Commenting on her own conviction, Ms Ressa said: “Today I have been convicted, but it is also the justice system in the Philippines on trial. For years I have been targeted by the authorities, following the government’s weaponization of social media.

“Today the judiciary became complicit in this insidious campaign to silence independent journalism and stifle press freedom. But neither I nor Rappler will be silenced. I will fight this conviction, and I will continue to do my duty, to speak out and report the truth.”

Ms Clooney and Ms Gallagher lead the international counsel team acting for Ms Ressa, working with fellow barristers Can Yeginsu and Claire Overman. The team is also working closely with Peter Lichtenbaum, Stephen Rademaker, Lisa Peets and Ambassador Daniel Feldman of Covington & Burling LLP, as well as Ms Ressa’s counsel team in Manila.