The IPI global network today welcomes the latest acquittal of IPI member and Nobel laureate Maria Ressa and five colleagues from Rappler on unfounded charges alleging violations of constitutional restrictions on foreign media ownership.
IPI global network urges judicial authorities to dismiss the remaining cyber libel case against Ressa and to end the targeted legal harassment of one of the world’s most respected voices in journalism.
Maria Ressa, the CEO and co-founder of the online news platform Rappler, has conducted investigations exposing corruption, violence, and the rise of authoritarianism under former President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration. In retaliation, she has been subjected to a sustained campaign of targeted harassment, including 23 legal cases and other forms of intimidation.
Among the charges levelled against her were several tax evasion cases the last of which she was acquitted of in September 2023—and a cyber libel case, which remains the only outstanding charge. In 2020, Ressa and former Rappler researcher Reynaldo Santos were convicted in the libel case and sentenced to six years in prison. That verdict is currently under final appeal before the Supreme Court of the Philippines.
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This most recent acquittal brings 22 out of 23 legal cases against Ressa to an end. The ownership case was part of former President Duterte’s continuous assault on the media,Although Rappler has maintained that it complies with these regulations, the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) revoked its licence in January 2018. However, in 2024, the Court of Appeals overturned the shutdown order, and on 13 June 2025, Ressa and her colleagues were acquitted in the case.
“The acquittal of Maria Ressa and her Rappler colleagues marks an important step towards safeguarding press freedom in the Philippines. It is the latest confirmation that the legal attacks on Maria Ressa and Rappler are baseless,” said Scott Griffen, IPI Executive Director. “However, the years-long targeted harassment of Maria Ressa is not yet over. Ressa’s conviction on trumped-up cyber libel charges must be tossed out. We urge the Philippine authorities to ensure that measures are put in place to ensure that journalists can do their jobs freely and that the weaponization of the law to undermine press freedom is ended.”Philippines: IPI Board member Maria Ressa acquitted in foreign media ownership case – ipi.media
