Journalist Maria Ressa arrested and released on bail, says ‘now is not the time to feel afraid’

Maria Ressa, editor of Philippines online news site Rappler, has turned herself into the police after an arrest warrant was issued against her. The warrant had been issued on Sunday.

On Monday, the Guardian reported that “she surrendered to the authorities at Pasig city regional trial court in Manila and posted bail, which was set at 60,000 Philippine pesos (£900).”

The Guardian quoted Ressa who spoke outside the courthouse after posting bail: “We need to hold government to account, and part of the reason I’m here is precisely that … I’m not a criminal but I’ve been fingerprinted like a criminal. We feel that we did not get due process … Frankly, it’s a bit shocking to me the lengths government will go to, to let little Rappler feel its power.” She said now was “certainly not the time to feel afraid”.

Ressa, who was awarded the 2018 Knight International Journalism Award last month, has worked over 30 years in the field of journalism. She is at the forefront of the battle for press freedom under the Duterte regime in the Philippines. Ressa attended The Media Rumble this year where she spoke about press freedom and taking on the Duterte government.

Watch the interview here.