Maria Ressa on her conviction, press freedom and Duterte
Maria Ressa is one of the most prominent and respected journalists working today, but for years, her work has been under threat. This month, she was convicted of a cyber libel case that is widely seen as a political move by the president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, to suppress press freedoms. Ressa reflects on the developments, and why she’s determined to keep writing.
On June 15, Maria Ressa, along with a former colleague of her news organization, Rappler, were convicted of "cyber libel" in the Philippines. This, along with seven other charges, are widely seen as an encroachment on press freedom in the country by President Rodrigo Duterte's authoritarian government.
Today on Front Burner, a conversation with Maria Ressa on why she continues to pursue her journalistic work despite possible jail time and the threats on her life.