Apart from corporate foreign control and possible violation of the anti-dummy law, The Department of Justice (DOJ) will also look into other possible violations of the online news site, Rappler.
“It will not be limited to the administrative law, Anti-Dummy Law but we are going to see if there are other laws violated,” said Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre.
This was after the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) revoked the franchise of said online news site which is known to be critical of the government.
The SEC alleged that Rappler violated the Anti-Dummy Law, which states that a local media network should be 100-percent owned and operated by Filipino citizens. It prohibits foreigners from intervening in the management, operation, administration, or to control nationalized business, whether as officers or employees, with or without compensation.
The Justice Secretary insists the DOJ’s move is not intended to restrict the freedom of media entities in the country.
Aguirre noted that the issue is on the ownership of Rappler and not about freedom of the press.
“You cannot say it’s politically motivated. Besides, let’s just see. Do not put any insinuation or suspicion. Let’s look into the prohibition of the Constitution,” he said.
“It’s as if you’re saying that it’s the directive of the administration, far from it,” He added.
On the other hand, Rappler earlier said they will fight the case in the court. They said that the SEC was being unfair in releasing its decision without knowing their side.
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