(CNN) Maria Ressa, a high-profile Philippine journalist and vocal critic of the country's president, was arrested Wednesday in connection with "cyber libel" charges against Rappler, the news site she oversees. The award-winning journalist was served an arrest warrant by Philippines National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) officers. However, the cyber libel law only came into effect in the Philippines in 2014. The NBI ruled in January that because the report preceded the law, Ressa could not be charged. JUST WATCHED Philippine government threatening Rappler Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Philippine government threatening Rappler 03:45The Committee to Protect Journalists denounced the Philippines authorities, calling for Ressa's immediate release.

Source: CNN February 13, 2019 10:01 UTC