UN Special Rapporteur urges PHL gov’t to drop charges vs. Rappler, Maria Ressa

The United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression has called on the Philippine government to drop charges against news website Rappler and its CEO Maria Ressa.

In a statement dated December 6, David Kaye claimed that the complaints against Ressa and her media outfit, which had been critical of the Duterte administration, were being utilized as “censorship” tool.

“In light of past measures taken against Rappler, I am concerned that the charges of tax evasion constitute an attempt to silence the news outlet’s independent reporting,” Kaye said.

“This is a serious threat against independent and investigative journalism in the Philippines, and will have implications beyond its borders,” Kaye added.

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