Maria Ressa, Rappler and ABS-CBN

Wazzup Pilipinas!?




Maria Ressa is a renowned journalist and CEO of Rappler, a digital news outlet based in the Philippines. However, before her current role, Ressa had a long and illustrious career in the media industry, including a stint with ABS-CBN, one of the largest broadcasting networks in the country. This article will provide an overview of Maria Ressa's time with ABS-CBN, the contributions she made, and the impact she had on the organization.

Maria Ressa joined ABS-CBN in 1987 as a news reporter and quickly made a name for herself with her sharp reporting and in-depth analysis. Her extensive experience covering conflict and social issues in the Philippines allowed her to produce compelling and thought-provoking stories that resonated with audiences.

During her tenure with ABS-CBN, Ressa held various positions, including the network's head of news and public affairs division. Her leadership and innovative ideas helped the network win numerous accolades, including the prestigious Peabody Award for its coverage of the 2004 presidential elections in the Philippines.

One of Ressa's most significant contributions to ABS-CBN was the development of the network's digital presence. In the early 2000s, Ressa recognized the potential of the internet as a platform for news and started to explore ways to integrate digital media into ABS-CBN's operations. Her efforts led to the launch of ABS-CBN's online news portal, ABS-CBNnews.com, which quickly became one of the most visited news sites in the Philippines.

Ressa's digital innovation didn't stop there. She also spearheaded the development of ABS-CBN's mobile app, which provided real-time news updates to users on-the-go. This move proved to be a game-changer in the industry, as it allowed ABS-CBN to reach audiences beyond traditional broadcast channels.

Aside from her leadership and digital innovations, Ressa was also known for her fearless reporting and dedication to uncovering the truth. She was a vocal critic of the government, and her reporting often exposed corruption and human rights abuses. Her tenacity and commitment to journalistic integrity earned her numerous awards, including the prestigious Knight International Journalism Award in 2018.

Unfortunately, Ressa's time with ABS-CBN came to an end in 2010, when the network decided not to renew her contract. However, this did not stop Ressa from continuing to pursue her passion for journalism. In 2012, she co-founded Rappler, a digital news outlet that has since become a leading source of news and analysis in the Philippines.

Maria Ressa's time with ABS-CBN was marked by her innovative ideas, leadership, and commitment to journalistic integrity. Her contributions to the network, particularly in the development of its digital presence, were instrumental in shaping the Philippine media landscape. Today, Ressa continues to inspire and lead the industry through her work with Rappler, and her legacy with ABS-CBN will always be remembered as a significant milestone in the history of Philippine journalism.



Why didn't Abs-cbn renew Maria Ressa's contract


The exact reasons why ABS-CBN chose not to renew Maria Ressa's contract in 2010 are not entirely clear, and there has been no official statement from the network regarding the matter. However, there have been speculations that her outspoken criticism of the government and her investigative reporting, which exposed corruption and human rights abuses, may have played a role in the decision.

During her time with ABS-CBN, Ressa was known for her fearless reporting and commitment to uncovering the truth, even in the face of opposition and pressure from those in power. Her reporting often put her at odds with government officials and business leaders, and it's possible that her investigative work may have made her a liability for the network.

Another possible reason for Ressa's departure from ABS-CBN is that the network may have wanted to shift its focus away from news and towards entertainment programming, which tends to be more profitable. In recent years, ABS-CBN has invested heavily in producing popular dramas and reality shows, which have proven to be a hit with audiences both in the Philippines and abroad.

Whatever the reason for Ressa's departure from ABS-CBN, her contributions to the network and her impact on Philippine journalism cannot be denied. Her innovative ideas and dedication to journalistic integrity helped shape the network's digital presence and set a high standard for reporting that continues to be emulated by journalists and media organizations today.





Rodrigo Duterte, the current president of the Philippines, has been a controversial figure since taking office in 2016. He campaigned on a platform of change, promising to address crime and corruption, but his administration has been dogged by allegations of human rights abuses, extrajudicial killings, and attacks on press freedom.

Duterte's "war on drugs" has been one of his most contentious policies, resulting in the deaths of thousands of suspected drug users and dealers. Critics have accused the Philippine National Police of carrying out extrajudicial killings and arbitrary arrests with little accountability for those responsible. While Duterte has defended the policy as necessary to protect the country, human rights groups and the international community have strongly criticized the approach.

The Duterte government has also been accused of targeting journalists and media organizations critical of the administration. Rappler, a Philippine-based news website led by Maria Ressa, has faced legal challenges, including cyber libel charges brought against her and a colleague in 2018. These charges have been widely criticized as an attack on press freedom and are just one example of the Duterte government's efforts to silence dissenting voices.

Additionally, Duterte's foreign policy has raised concerns about the country's sovereignty and relationships with other nations. Duterte has pursued warmer ties with China, despite accusations of encroachment on Philippine territory in the South China Sea. This has led to tensions with the United States, a longtime ally of the Philippines, and raised questions about the country's independence and autonomy.

The presidency of Rodrigo Duterte has been marked by controversy and division. While his administration has made some strides in addressing issues such as corruption and poverty, his policies have also raised concerns about human rights, press freedom, and foreign policy. As journalists, it is important to hold those in power accountable and speak truth to power, even when it may be difficult or unpopular to do so.




Rappler's Impact on Philippine Media


Rappler is a news and social media platform founded in 2012 by Filipino journalist Maria Ressa and her team of journalists. The platform has become one of the most popular news sources in the Philippines, covering a range of topics including politics, business, entertainment, and sports. In this blog post, we will explore the history and impact of Rappler, its controversies, and its role in Philippine media.


History


Rappler was founded in 2012 as a startup media company by Maria Ressa, a veteran journalist who had worked for CNN and was the head of news for the Philippines’ largest TV network, ABS-CBN. Ressa’s goal was to create a digital platform that would combine traditional journalism with social media, allowing for real-time reporting and engagement with readers.


In its early years, Rappler quickly gained a reputation for its fearless reporting and its use of social media to engage with its audience. The platform’s coverage of the Philippine elections in 2013 and 2016, for example, was widely praised for its accuracy and depth.


Impact


Rappler has had a significant impact on the Philippine media landscape. Its use of social media has allowed it to reach a younger, more tech-savvy audience, and its focus on in-depth reporting and analysis has helped to elevate the level of discourse in Philippine journalism.


Rappler has also played an important role in exposing corruption and abuses of power in the Philippine government. Its investigative reporting on the drug war, for example, has been widely cited and has led to international attention and pressure on the Philippine government to address human rights abuses.


Controversies


Despite its many achievements, Rappler has also been embroiled in several controversies. In 2018, the Philippine government revoked Rappler’s license to operate, claiming that the company had violated ownership rules for media companies. The move was widely seen as an attempt to silence Rappler’s critical reporting on the government.


Rappler has also faced criticism for its coverage of the Philippine government’s controversial drug war. Some critics have accused the platform of biased reporting and of being too quick to condemn the government’s actions without giving a fair hearing to its supporters.


Role in Philippine Media


Rappler has played an important role in shaping the Philippine media landscape. Its use of social media has helped to bridge the gap between traditional journalism and new media, and its focus on in-depth reporting and analysis has raised the bar for Philippine journalism.


Despite the challenges it has faced, Rappler remains a vital source of news and information in the Philippines. Its commitment to fearless, independent journalism has earned it a loyal following among Filipinos who value honest and accurate reporting.


Rappler has come a long way since its founding in 2012. Its use of social media has allowed it to reach a wider audience than traditional media, and its focus on in-depth reporting and analysis has helped to elevate the level of discourse in Philippine journalism. Despite the challenges it has faced, Rappler remains an important source of news and information in the Philippines, and its commitment to independent journalism is a model for media companies around the world.




Maria Ressa's Journalism Career


Maria Ressa is a highly accomplished journalist and media executive from the Philippines. She is best known for her work as the CEO of Rappler, a news website that she co-founded in 2012. Her work has earned her numerous accolades, including being named one of Time Magazine's "100 Most Influential People" in 2018.


Early Life and Education


Maria Ressa was born on October 2, 1963, in Manila, Philippines. Her father was a doctor, and her mother was a pharmacist. She attended Princeton University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in English literature. She later received a master's degree in journalism from the University of the Philippines.


Career in Journalism


After completing her education, Maria Ressa began her career as a journalist. She worked for several news organizations in the Philippines, including CNN and ABS-CBN. In 2004, she was appointed as the head of news for ABS-CBN, the largest television network in the country.


In 2012, Maria Ressa co-founded Rappler, a digital news platform that quickly gained popularity for its coverage of Philippine politics and social issues. Under her leadership, Rappler has been recognized for its innovative approach to journalism, which includes the use of social media and data-driven reporting.


Maria Ressa has been a vocal critic of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and his government. She has reported on human rights abuses, extrajudicial killings, and other controversial issues in the country. Her reporting has often put her at odds with the government, and she has faced numerous legal challenges and threats to her personal safety as a result.


Legal Challenges


In 2018, Maria Ressa was arrested on charges of cyber-libel in connection with a story published on Rappler in 2012. The charges were widely seen as politically motivated, and Ressa's arrest sparked international condemnation from journalists and human rights advocates.


Despite the legal challenges, Maria Ressa has continued to speak out against the Duterte government and to defend the importance of a free and independent press. She has called for journalists around the world to stand up against authoritarianism and to fight for the right to report the truth.


Awards and Honors


Maria Ressa's work as a journalist and media executive has earned her numerous awards and honors. In addition to being named one of Time Magazine's "100 Most Influential People" in 2018, she has received the Knight International Journalism Award, the Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award, and the Golden Pen of Freedom Award from the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers.


Maria Ressa is a fearless journalist and media executive who has dedicated her career to fighting for the right to a free and independent press. Her work has been recognized both in the Philippines and around the world, and she continues to be an inspiration to journalists and human rights advocates everywhere. Despite the legal challenges and threats to her personal safety, Maria Ressa remains committed to her work and to the pursuit of truth and justice.

ABS-CBN Controversy with Duterte

ABS-CBN Corporation is a media conglomerate and one of the largest television networks in the Philippines. It has been in operation since 1953 and has produced many popular TV shows, movies, and news programs. However, ABS-CBN has been embroiled in a controversy with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

In 2020, ABS-CBN's broadcast license expired, and the company applied for a renewal. However, Duterte publicly opposed the renewal, accusing the network of biased reporting and interfering in the 2016 presidential election. Duterte claimed that ABS-CBN had failed to air his political advertisements during the election campaign, resulting in his loss of some votes.

In response to Duterte's allegations, ABS-CBN denied any wrongdoing and argued that the President's accusations were baseless. The network also argued that its coverage of the election was fair and impartial, and that it had followed the guidelines set by the Commission on Elections.

Despite these arguments, the Philippine Congress, which is dominated by Duterte's allies, rejected ABS-CBN's license renewal application in July 2020. This decision caused widespread outrage among supporters of the network, who saw it as an attack on press freedom.

Many international organizations also criticized the decision, including the Committee to Protect Journalists and Human Rights Watch. They called on the Philippine government to respect the freedom of the press and to allow ABS-CBN to continue its operations.

The closure of ABS-CBN has had significant economic consequences, as it employs thousands of workers and generates billions of pesos in revenue. It has also raised concerns about the state of press freedom in the Philippines, with many observers fearing that the government's actions could lead to a crackdown on other media outlets.

ABS-CBN's issues with Rodrigo Duterte have highlighted the challenges facing the media in the Philippines. The network's closure has had significant economic and political consequences, and has raised concerns about the state of press freedom in the country. It remains to be seen how this controversy will be resolved, but many are calling for the government to respect the rights of journalists and media organizations.

Duterte vs. Press Freedom

President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines has had several issues with Maria Ressa, a well-known journalist and CEO of Rappler, a news website critical of the Duterte administration, as well as ABS-CBN, one of the country's largest media networks.

With regards to Maria Ressa, Duterte has accused her of spreading "fake news" and being biased against his government. In 2019, Ressa was arrested on charges of cyber-libel, which she and her supporters have called politically motivated. Ressa has been a vocal critic of Duterte's war on drugs, which has been criticized by human rights groups for alleged extrajudicial killings.

As for ABS-CBN, Duterte has been critical of the network and its coverage of his administration. In 2020, ABS-CBN's franchise was not renewed by Congress, effectively shutting down the network's broadcast operations. Duterte has denied any involvement in the decision, but critics have accused him of using his influence to punish the network for its critical reporting.

Both the issues with Maria Ressa and ABS-CBN have raised concerns about press freedom in the Philippines and the ability of journalists to report on the government without fear of reprisal.