Photo: ReutersThe head of a Philippine news website that has locked horns with President Rodrigo Duterte has been freed on bail, a day after her widely condemned arrest on libel charges that critics say is a government effort to bully journalists. Press freedom is not just about journalists ... Press freedom is the foundation of every single right of every Filipino to the truth," she told reporters after posting bail of 100,000 pesos ($NZ2790) on Thursday afternoon. A spokesman for the US State Department emphasised the importance of freedom of expression and called Ressa "a highly respected and experienced journalist". This was the first time Ressa was arrested, although she said her release marked the sixth time she had been charged and granted bail. Duterte's spokesman, Salvador Panelo, said the libel case was "absolutely unrelated" to the government and that Duterte had no interest in punishing journalists.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 15, 2019 06:22 UTC