Journalists are killed in the Philippines more frequently than in most countries, but this fact seems more a function of general lawlessness than deliberate official policy. At the same time, the press enjoys greater freedom than elsewhere and is a bulwark of democracy.

However, the arrest of a prominent critic of President Rodrigo Duterte casts a shadow over that tradition. Maria Ressa, who was named by Time magazine as a Person of the Year for her crusading writing exposing the violent crimes of the current administration, was charged with libel against a businessman. Amnesty International called the charge “brazenly political.”

Duterte has shown scant respect for democracy and openly admires China despite its repressive policies. Ressa’s case smacks of retaliation and could be a warning of worse to come.

Carl H. Zimmerman

Salt Lake

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