MANILA, June 15 (Reuters) - Veteran Philippine journalist Maria Ressa, whose website has put President Rodrigo Duterte under tough scrutiny, was convicted of libel on Monday and faces up to six years in jail, in a ruling widely seen as a blow to media freedom.
Workers wearing protective equipment disinfect an office as a preventative measure against the coronavirus at the city hall in Manila on Monday . the Philippine health ministry on Monday confirmed 10 more Covid-19 deaths and 490 additional infections. The total deaths have increased to 1,098 while confirmed cases have reached 26,420. - AFP
In a bulletin, the ministry said total deaths have increased to 1,098 while confirmed cases have reached 26,420. After the verdict, Ressa vowed not be silenced and accused the judiciary of becoming complicit in a campaign to stifle press freedom in the Southeast Asian nation.The decision fuelled concern over human rights in a country where Duterte's war on drugs has left thousands dead and he recently renewed a threat to kill drug dealers, despite condemnation in a U.N. report.
In handing down the verdict against Ressa, 56, a dual US.-Filipino citizen, Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa said the exercise of a freedom"should and must be used with due regard to the freedom of others".Reynaldo Santos, a former Rappler researcher and writer, was also found guilty. Both were granted bail pending an appeal.
Media watchdogs and human rights groups condemned Monday's verdict, which Amnesty International called a"sham" that"should be quashed".
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