Photo: ReutersThe award-winning head of a Philippine news website known for its tough scrutiny of President Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested on libel charges. "People should know that the line has been crossed," Ressa told reporters, adding she would seek bail. "This is nothing to do with freedom of expression or freedom of the press," he told news channel ANC. Rappler's reporters are regularly threatened by elements of Duterte's online support base, part of what Rappler's investigations say is an organised "weaponising" of the internet by the government. For his part, Duterte has said he does not need help from online trolls, and insists he has never punished anyone for criticising him.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 13, 2019 22:16 UTC