On Monday, Phillipina journalist Maria Ressa was found guilty of libel and sentenced to six months in jail. Ressa and press freedom groups have described the arrest and subsequent trial a politically motivated prosecution. Ressa was arrested last year in Manila while at work for her online news outlet Rappler. Rappler has gained viewed for its anti-government viewpoints.
Rappler also rose in popularity during the war on drugs initiated within the country by President Rodrigo Duarte. Rappler wrote a story on businessman Wilfredo Keng, tying him to illicit drug usage and human trafficking. The article was posted two years before new civil libel laws were established.
Read More: Philippines journalist Maria Ressa found guilty of ‘cyber libel’ in latest blow to free press
