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Bloggers for Freedom: Time to choose between democracy, dictatorship 

Bea Cupin

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Bloggers for Freedom: Time to choose between democracy, dictatorship 
'Now is a time for making choices amid battles between truth and lies, debate and dissonance, democracy and dictatorship,' the bloggers say in their manifesto of support

MANILA, Philippines – A group of Filipino bloggers on Friday, January 19, called on the public to “make choices amid battles between truth and lies,” in rallying behind the right to free expression and news organization Rappler, after the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued an order to revoke the license of the online news group.

Callling themselves “Bloggers for Freedom,” the 59 bloggers issued a manifesto of support on Friday, January 19, to signify their support for free speech in the country, and for Rappler, which is under threat of closure after publishing reports critical of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

The bloggers issued the statement on the same day press freedom advocates were expected to troop to the Boy Scouts Circle in Quezon City for the “Black Friday Protest for Freedom” organized by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines.

“We stand against moves to silence and scare journalists, bloggers and media practitioners just because the President and his ardent supporters dislike their news and views,” they said.

“Now is a time for making choices amid battles between truth and lies, debate and dissonance, democracy and dictatorship,” the bloggers added.

The statement follows many more from media groups, campus journalistsinternational groups,activists, and human rights organizations announcing support for Rappler and press freedom amid the continued harassment of the Duterte administration. 

Rappler has been under attack not only by Duterte himself but also by pro-administration bloggers because of its reports critical of the administration, particularly those on the Duterte government’s war on drugs.

Here is the Bloggers for Freedom’s full statement:

We concerned Filipino bloggers stand for the rights to free expression and to free speech.  And our first responsibility is to protect these rights.

We thus stand with Rappler, its right to exist, the rights of its working journalists and contributors, and the rights of its community of readers. 

We stand against moves to silence and scare journalists, bloggers and media practitioners just because the President and his ardent supporters dislike their news and views. 

Now is a time for making choices amid battles between truth and lies, debate and dissonance, democracy and dictatorship. 

We sign our names here to tell everyone we have made a choice. We are bloggers for freedom. 

  1. Noemi Lardizabal-Dado
  2. Tonyo Cruz
  3. Dale Bacar
  4. Marcelle Fabie
  5. Myk Mykapalaran Cruz
  6. Rod Magaru
  7. Ely Valendez
  8. Alex Lapa
  9. Tess Termulo
  10. Zena Bernardo
  11. Jover Laurio
  12. James Romer V. Velina
  13. Ramon Nocon
  14. Flow Galindez
  15. Helga Weber
  16. Mc Richard Viana Paglicawan
  17. Raymond Palatino
  18. Loi Landicho
  19. Saul de Jesus
  20. Karlo Mongaya
  21. Ricky Rivera
  22. Mark Will Mayo Magallanes
  23. Eyriche Cortez
  24. Julius Mariveles
  25. Yusuf Ledesma
  26. RJ Barrete
  27. Dino Manrique
  28. Peachy Tan
  29. Rhadem Camlian Morados
  30. Julius Rocas
  31. Jon Limjap
  32. Markku Suguerra
  33. Jam Ancheta 
  34. Estan Cabigas
  35. Enrico Dee
  36. Acee Vitangcol
  37. Stefan Punongbayan
  38. Jesus Falcis
  39. Hancel Reyes
  40. Czarina Maye Noche
  41. JM Mariano
  42. Reginald Agsalon
  43. John Clifford Sibayan
  44. Jane Uymatiao
  45. Johnn Mendoza
  46. Carlos Celdran
  47. Christian Melanie
  48. Jann Medina
  49. Carlo Arvisu
  50. Inday Espina Varona
  51. Eugene Alvin Villar
  52. Melo Villareal
  53. Brian Ong
  54. Fritz Tentativa 
  55. Fitz Villafuerte
  56. Tina Antonio
  57. Mykel Andrada
  58. Reynaldo Pagsolingan Jr
  59. Renz Daniel de Vera

Rappler.com

 

 

 

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Bea Cupin

Bea is a senior multimedia reporter who covers national politics. She's been a journalist since 2011 and has written about Congress, the national police, and the Liberal Party for Rappler.