The War On News

A record of government actions against journalism and fact-based reporting, from the first press laws to today

Incident

Philippines: Maria Ressa convicted of cyber libel

PhilippinesRSF 2026 rank: 114th of 180

Engraving of an empty press briefing room with a lectern and rows of chairs

A Manila court convicted Rappler's Maria Ressa and researcher Reynaldo Santos Jr. of criminal cyber libel and sentenced them to up to six years in prison, over a 2012 story republished after the cybercrime law used to charge them took effect.123

What happened

A Manila trial court issued its verdict on June 15, 2020, convicting Rappler executive editor Maria Ressa and former researcher Reynaldo Santos Jr. of cyber libel over a 2012 article that linked a businessman to a Philippine chief justice. The government's case relied on Rappler's 2014 correction of a single word in the story, arguing that the correction restarted the clock for a libel charge under the Cybercrime Prevention Act, a law that took effect only after the article was first published. The court sentenced both to a prison term of up to six years, though they remained free pending appeal. CPJ said the conviction and sentencing amounted to, in its words, "an outrageous crime against press freedom," and urged Philippine authorities not to pursue the case further. The case became one of several legal proceedings Rappler faced during President Rodrigo Duterte's administration.123

Ongoing on appeal as of the source reviewed.123

What reason was given

Stated justification

Not stated in the sources reviewed.123

What changed for reporting

A criminal conviction carrying a possible prison term became a central legal threat hanging over Rappler's leadership for years afterward, even as the outlet continued publishing.1

Timeline

2020

15 June 2020
Philippines: Maria Ressa convicted of cyber libel

Who acted

NameRole in this incidentOffice at the time
Rodrigo DuterteotherPresident of the Philippines

Outlets and journalists

NameKindRelation
Rappleroutletaffected
Maria Ressajournalist, Rappleraffected
Reynaldo Santos Jr.journalist, Rappleraffected

Sources

  1. Rappler editor Maria Ressa convicted of cyber libel by Philippines courtCommittee to Protect Journalists, 2020-06-15, reporting. Source record
  2. Philippine journalist convicted of libel, given 6-year termAssociated Press, 2020-06-15, reporting. Source record
  3. Court convicts Rappler's Ressa on cyber libelThe Philippine Star (national paper of record), 2020-06-15, reporting. Source record

Claims and evidence

Each numbered claim quotes the source it rests on.

  1. CPJ's call to Philippine authorities following the verdict.urged Philippine authorities not to contest the appealRappler editor Maria Ressa convicted of cyber libel by Philippines court, Committee to Protect Journalists, 2020-06-15.Claim 550, checked 2026-09-22.
  2. CPJ's description of the verdict's severity.Today's conviction and sentencing of Maria Ressa of up to six years in jail is an outrageous crime against press freedomRappler editor Maria Ressa convicted of cyber libel by Philippines court, Committee to Protect Journalists, 2020-06-15.Claim 673, checked 2026-09-22.
  3. Naming both defendants and the underlying case.Rappler editor Maria Ressa Convicted of Cyber Libel by Philippines CourtRappler editor Maria Ressa convicted of cyber libel by Philippines court, Committee to Protect Journalists, 2020-06-15.Claim 674, checked 2026-09-22.