Admired
writer Katrina Stuart Santiago is not buying
the claim of Rappler CEO Maria that her cyber libel conviction is an attack
against press freedom in the country.
Santiago
took to Facebook to slam Ressa and Rappler for playing victim of President Rodrigo
Duterte’s administration.
“And when
did Ressa even ever acknowledge the attacks on critics who are not her own
social class, who are not on her side of the political specturm? When has she
ever acknowledged the violence against progressive groups? All those
international platforms and NOT ONCE HAS SHE TALKED ABOUT THE REST OF US.”
Santiago said
She also
criticized the international media for believing that Rappler is an independent
entity.
“This has
been, will always be, my issue with the way Ressa has been fashioned as hero of
Philippine democracy by the West and its media: they believe, hook line sinker
that Rappler is an "independent" media entity, without even a sense
of how Bulatlat, Pinoy Weekly, Altermidya are the only ones that can lay claim
to that label.” She said
Santiago said
Rappler never disclosed its funding sources since it started even after the
attempts to make Ressa talk about it.
“And please
"a small office with over 12 reporters"? Sige, 12 reporters and how
many editors earning how much cash, since 2011? And since 2011, a bunch of us
have asked about their funding sources, have talked about their biases, and
guess what Ressa does: brings on the online mob against us.” The writer said
“And no,
no, do not start about Ressa and nation—not once, NOT ONCE, has this journalist
represented nation. This has always been and always will be about herself and
Rappler.” She added
In a press
conference after her conviction, Ressa vowed to continue fighting.
“Freedom of
the press is the foundation of every single right you have as a Filipino
citizen. If we can’t hold power to account, we can’t do anything,” she said
“Are we
going to lose freedom of the press? Will it be death by a thousand cuts, or are
we going to hold the line so that we protect the rights that are enshrined in
our constitution?” Ressa added
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