Senator Risa Hontiveros Condemns SEC Over Order to Shutdown Rappler
Re-elected Senator Risa Hontiveros condemned the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) order to shut down online news organization Rappler.
Hontiveros expressed her sadness over the administration’s threat to the free press in a statement. She emphasized that it is regrettable that this administration is coming up with new tactics to pressure reputable news organizations into not exercising press freedom.
Hontiveros continued that it is troubling that news organizations are still being destroyed while ‘insensitive’ vloggers and internet journalists are given credit. This merely sows doubt and fosters meek, stressed-out reportage.
“While many registered news outfits are being crushed, unaccountable and insensitive vloggers and internet journalists have been given accreditation to cover the most important events in government,” the senator said.
The senator stressed that the country needs “critical, honest, and fact-based journalism.” Hontiveros, on the other hand, said she will continue to fight for freedom of the press.
“We need critical, honest, and fact-based journalism. I will always fight for freedom of the press. Silencing important media voices like Rappler, and ABS-CBN before it, not only affects the flow of information for the day. These assaults on independent press and other perceived “threats” also chip away at our democracy, “Hontiveros said.
It will be recalled that the SEC on June 28 upheld its earlier decision to revoke the Certificates of Incorporation of Rappler, Inc., and RHC for violating the Foreign Equity Restrictions on Mass Media enshrined in the Constitution.
The decision, signed by SEC Chair Emilio B. Aquino and four other SEC commissioners, declared void the Philippine Depository Receipts (PDRs) issued to American firm Omidyar Network (ON) by Rappler and RHC because it was violated, among others, Section 71.2 of the Securities Regulation Code.
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