More journos seek to join Rappler's legal challenge vs Duterte coverage ban

MANILA, Philippines —  More journalists  and columnists sought to join online news site Rappler and its reporters in their legal challenge to the government’s ban on coverage of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Journalists, represented by Theodore Te of the Free Legal Assistance Group, asked the Supreme Court to be allowed to join Rappler as petitioners. They asked the SC to hold an oral argument on the case.

A total of 41 journalists across different platforms affixed their signature to signify their intent to join the news website in their plea and argue before the court that they were “directly affected by the abridgment of their freedom.”

They told the court that the ban that Duterte articulated on March 1, 2018 “extends not only to Rappler and to its reporters and staff but also to any journalist who would write or broadcast anything that the President deems to be ‘fake news.’”

The journalists also claimed that the ban is “arbitrary and based only personal discomfort or displeasure,” as seen in the main petition centered on the account on Rappler’s Pia Ranada, covering Malacañang.

The Malacañang first banned Ranada from covering a Duterte event in the Palace in February 2018.

READ: Palace bans Rappler reporter from entire complex

A member of the Presidential Security Group told Ranada on Feb. 20, 2018 that an order was issued to prevent her from entering the premises.

READ: PSG bars Rappler reporter from entering Malacañan

Harry Roque, presidential spokesperson at the time, said that Duterte got “irritated” with Ranada, whom the chief executive supposedly treated like his own granddaughter, and with Rappler.

The Palace order against Rappler was issued a day after former Christopher “Bong” Go, then special assistant to the president and now running for senator, said Rappler delivers "fake news"—a comment often used for reports that are seen as critical of the administration.

Although the ban has been implemented for more than a year, no document containing the order has been made public.

The journalists told the court: “Absent any substantial interest, a ban on coverage that displeases the reader or listener constitutes impermissible prior restraint. This is the situation here.”

Among those who intend to become petitioners in the case include Melinda de Jesus, Vergel Santos and Luis Teodoro of Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, broadcasters Tina-Monzon Palma, Solita Monsod, Lourd de Veyra and columnists John Nery and Ceres Doyo.