Philippine Shutdown of Rappler Signals Increasing Slide Towards Authoritarianism; Rappler Plays “Indispensable Role in Holding Social Media Accountable.”

Real Facebook Oversight Board and Our Members Stand in Solidarity with Maria Ressa and Her Team

28 June — The Real Facebook Oversight Board issued the following statement about the shutdown of Rappler.com, founded and led by RFOB member and Nobel Laureate Maria Ressa:

Rappler is a critical voice for democracy in the Philippines and the world, and plays an indispensable role in holding social media accountable. We are horrified by the action taken by the Philippine government, and stand in solidarity with Rappler’s founder and original Real Facebook Oversight Board member Maria Ressa.

Maria warned in an interview before last month’s Presidential election that democracy in the Philippines was on the brink. A democracy does not shut down its critics or silence a free press. These are actions that should trouble the world, and that signal an increasing slide towards authoritarianism across the globe.

We stand with Maria and her incredible team at Rappler, and urge every action possible to stop the shutdown of this irreplaceable news organization.