Duterte vs Rappler: Declaration of war against Philippine media?

On The Listening Post this week: Rappler battles with authorities plus climate sceptics and the media platforms they get. Video: Al Jazeera

As Rappler, a popular Manila news website, battles with authorities, news media in the Philippines are feeling the chill.

Rappler has long been a thorn in the side of President Rodrigo Duterte because of its critical reporting.

Duterte has repeatedly accused Rappler of being run by Americans, which is illegal under Filipino law.

Now the site is facing a possible shut down over that allegation.

Duterte has made many thinly veiled threats against journalists since 2016, but does this official move against Rappler amount to the Duterte government issuing a formal declaration of war against the Filipino media?

Al Jazeera’s Listening Post and Richard Gizbert examine the issues.

Contributors:
Maria Ressa, CEO, Rappler
Marichu Lambino, lawyer and assistant professor, University of the Philippines
Harry Roque, Filipino president’s spokesperson
Nonoy Espina, journalist and National Union of Journalists (NUJ) board member

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