Karapatan: SEC order to shut down Rappler, attacks on independent media
lay groundwork for digital martial law
KARAPATAN Press Statement
29 June 2022
Following President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent admission that he used his
powers to target ABS-CBN and the blocking of the websites of Bulatlat
and Pinoy Weekly, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s June 28, 2022
order to shut down Rappler sends an clear message: the Duterte
administration wants to leave behind a shameless legacy of Marcosian
attacks on press freedom — and that it is laying the groundwork for a
digital martial law under the incoming Marcos-Duterte administration.
The chilling effect of these coordinated efforts cannot be understated,
especially amid the already dismal state of human rights in the
Philippines. With the incoming administration’s aversion to the media
together with its machinery of lies and historical distortions, these
actions set a dangerous precedent to further weaponize the law to muzzle
and intimidate independent media, critical voices, and dissent.
Now more than ever, we must fight for a free press and to defend our
hard-won rights and freedoms. Karapatan stands with Rappler and all
press freedom advocates in denouncing these acts of censorship and State
repression. We will not be silenced. We will continue to hold the line. ###
References:
Cristina Palabay, Karapatan Secretary General, +639173162831
Karapatan Public Information Desk, +639189790580
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PUBLIC INFORMATION DESK
publi…@karapatan.org
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Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights
2nd Flr. Erythrina Bldg., #1 Maaralin corner Matatag Sts., Central District
Diliman, Quezon City, PHILIPPINES 1101
Telefax: (+63 2) 4354146
Web: http://www.karapatan.org
KARAPATAN is an alliance of human rights organizations and programs,
human rights desks and committees of people’s organizations, and
individual advocates committed to the defense and promotion of people’s
rights and civil liberties. It monitors and documents cases of human
rights violations, assists and defends victims and conducts education,
training and campaign.