MANILA, Philippines — High-profile Philippine journalist Maria Ressa's libel trial opens Tuesday in a case that press freedom advocates see as government retaliation for her news site's critical reporting on President Rodrigo Duterte. Government investigators initially dismissed the businessman's 2017 complaint about the article, but state prosecutors later decided to file charges. The legal foundation of the case is a controversial "cybercrime law" aimed at online offences ranging from stalking to child pornography. While the plaintiff is a private citizen, like all criminal cases in the Philippines the suit is prosecuted by government lawyers. The libel case has drawn international attention, with Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland and former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright expressing concern over democratic rights.

Source: Philippine Star July 23, 2019 03:33 UTC