One of the Philippines’ most prominent journalists is facing up to six years in prison after she was found guilty of “cyberlibel” charges on 15 June this year, a verdict condemned as setting “an extraordinarily damaging precedent” for press freedoms in the Philippines. Her name is Maria Ressa, and the offending article was about corruption of a Philippines Supreme Court Judge.

Since the election of President Duterte in the Philippines in 2016, there has been a significant deterioration in civil liberties and workers’ rights. This verdict comes at a time of civil crackdown, concealed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and in the context of the murderous war on drugs. 

Today’s Accent of Women features Maria Ressa herself, the journalist facing 6 years of prison following a guilty verdict. She is the CEO and executive editor, and in which that offending article was published.