NUJP slams SEC over revocation of Rappler’s license

FILE: NUJP also threw its “full” support for Rappler and to other independent media entities that the government “threatened and may threaten to shut down.” (Photo: Rappler.com)

MANILA, Philippines — The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) hit Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for revoking the certificates of registration of online news site Rappler.

NUJP also threw its “full” support for Rappler and to other independent media entities that the government “threatened and may threaten to shut down.”

“The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines is outraged at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) revocation of the registration of news outfit Rappler and Rappler Holdings Corp. for supposedly violating the constitutional prohibition against foreign ownership of media,” NUJP said in its statement.

“As it does so, the NUJP declares its full support to Rappler and all other independent media outfits that the state has threatened and may threaten to shut down,” it added.

Earlier, the SEC, in a 29-page ruling dated January 11, revoked the license to operate of Rappler and its controlling shareholder Rappler Holdings Corp.

for supposedly violating the constitution on the restriction on foreign ownership of mass media.

SEC even branded Rappler as a “mass media entity that sold control to foreigners.”

It can also be recalled that President Rodrigo Duterte also threatened to have Rappler’s ownership placed under investigation as the president believes it is own by foreign investors.

In response, Rappler claimed that foreigners only placed money in the news site and do not have ownership on it but SEC appeared to reject its contention.

“It was but one of many threats Duterte has made against media critical of him and his governance, such as the Philippine Daily Inquirer and broadcast network ABS-CBN, whose franchise renewal he threatened to block,” NUJP said.

NUJP, however, expressed confidence that Rappler would “mount a legal defense against what amounts to their closure.”

The group also urged Filipino journalists to unite and to resist any attempts to silence them.