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"Death of democracy by a thousand cuts" - My InstaLive with Maria Ressa

When Filipino journalist Maria Ressa appeared in front of the press on June 15, she had just been convicted by a court for "defamation on the net. The former CNN correspondent for Southeast Asia and editor-in-chief of the online portal "Rappler" is to spend 6 months behind bars according to the verdict. The preceding six-year trial can only be seen as a Kafkaesque attack on the freedom of the press.

What are the consequences of the verdict? And how can Philippine democracy, including freedom of the press, be strengthened? I spoke to Maria Ressa about this on Instagram Friday.

Journalist Maria Ressa after the sentencing: Ezra Acayan/ Getty Images

An inspiring exchange with Maria Ressa

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We are just realizing that we are witnessing the death of Philippine democracy through a thousand cuts.

Background

The Philippines under the Duterte government has become one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists. Since the start of Duterte's "war on drugs" in 2016, 6,500 people have been killed by the police alone, according to official figures. Human rights organizations and the UN, on the other hand, estimate that around 20,000 to 30,000 people have been killed. Journalists and editors who, like Rappler, report on these human rights violations are persecuted, threatened, and bogus charges are brought against them.

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