Rappler CEO Maria Ressa was found guilty of cyber libel over a 2012 online article.
On June 21, 2018, a significant ruling in the Philippines marked a landmark case under the country's cybercrime law when Rappler CEO Maria Ressa was convicted of cyber libel over an article from 2012. This case became emblematic of the struggles faced by journalists against oppressive legal mechanisms trying to silence free speech. The verdict was greeted with concern by international human rights and journalism organizations, highlighting the dangers of curtailing press freedom. Ressa, undeterred by the verdict, continued her advocacy for free speech, underscoring the role of press in challenging corruption and power. Her conviction remains a pivotal example of the ongoing global fight for journalistic freedom and resilience in the age of digital information.