Rodrigo Duterte became one of the most controversial presidents in Philippine history, with supporters praising his swift actions, especially in infrastructure development and efforts to ensure a safer, cleaner country. However, his administration faced heavy criticism for its approach to the drug war, leading to human rights violations and attacks on press freedom. Under Duterte, the Philippines saw significant pressure placed on prominent journalists and media companies, particularly Rappler and ABS-CBN, which were silenced and weakened during his presidency. Many Filipinos agreed with the suppression, believing these outlets were “biased.” Yet, despite Duterte’s six-year tenure, both Rappler and ABS-CBN continued to operate, reaching millions of Filipinos with their content. While some may claim bias, it’s important to note that a free press should never be silenced based on such claims.
This issue is crucial not only for the Philippines but globally, as bias is a complex aspect of journalism. All media organizations operate with specific perspectives, influenced by editorial policies and audience focus. However, calling out “bias” does not justify government actions to suppress or control the media. Let’s explore how Duterte undermined press freedom in the Philippines and why this matters to every Filipino.
Duterte’s relationship with Rappler soured early in his presidency, especially when the outlet highlighted the human cost of his war on drugs. Rappler investigated extrajudicial killings under Duterte’s command, bringing attention to the unnecessary violence and suffering in impoverished communities. This reporting conflicted with the administration’s narrative, which presented the drug war as essential for restoring law and order. Many Filipinos supported Duterte’s goal of creating a safer country, but that does not mean media coverage exposing harsh truths should be silenced.
Duterte accused Rappler of bias and alleged foreign funding, targeting its founder Maria Ressa, claiming she spread “fake news.” The attacks went beyond words, as Duterte’s administration weaponized the legal system against Rappler. In 2018, the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) revoked Rappler’s registration, accusing it of foreign ownership through its connection with Omidyar Network, a company founded by eBay creator Pierre Omidyar. Rappler defended itself, arguing that the funding came through legal financial mechanisms that didn’t grant ownership or control, but the move was seen as a political tactic to shut the outlet down.
The harassment escalated with tax evasion and cyber libel charges against Rappler and Ressa. The most notable case was Ressa’s 2020 cyber libel conviction, stemming from a 2012 article, which was controversially retroactively applied under the Cybercrime Prevention Act. Despite the international outcry and Ressa’s Nobel Peace Prize in 2021 for defending free speech, Duterte’s administration maintained its legal attacks on Rappler.
Duterte’s feud with ABS-CBN, the largest media company in the Philippines, had deeper roots, stemming from the 2016 election when ABS-CBN refused to air Duterte’s campaign ads while running negative ones funded by a rival. Duterte accused the network of bias and repeatedly vowed to block the renewal of its 25-year franchise, which expired in 2020. Under pressure from Duterte’s allies in Congress, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued a cease-and-desist order, forcing ABS-CBN off the air. The closure of the country’s largest broadcaster, unprecedented in Philippine history, was widely seen as politically motivated retaliation.
This shutdown had far-reaching consequences, particularly for the millions of Filipinos who depended on ABS-CBN for news and entertainment, especially in rural areas. The network’s closure was condemned by media organizations, human rights groups, and international observers as a devastating blow to press freedom in the Philippines. Duterte’s administration justified the move with legal accusations of labor and tax violations, but many viewed these as pretexts for silencing the network.
ABS-CBN’s closure sent a clear warning to other media outlets that dissent would not be tolerated, creating a chilling effect on the country’s press. Smaller media companies became cautious in their reporting, fearing similar consequences. The loss of ABS-CBN disrupted public discourse and left many Filipinos without access to independent journalism, particularly in remote areas.
The destruction of press freedom under Duterte should serve as a stark reminder of the importance of a free and independent media. A press that holds power accountable is vital to democracy, and it should never be suppressed under the guise of accusations like bias.