First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
- Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984)
This blog stands in solidarity with Time’s Person of the Year and one of the Philippines’ most credible journalists, Maria Ressa of Rappler.
In many ways, the discipline of history is like investigative journalism. We investigate based on credible evidence (primary sources) and let this lead us to its logical conclusion. We may never like what we find, but we know that truth is never comfortable nor an exact fit in our box.
Hence, historians, and any academic of his/her field, share affinity with journalists. And we are bound to ruffle feathers, especially with those in power who do not wish to be exposed of corruption.
The Philippines has been named by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) as the deadliest country for journalists in the entire Southeast Asian region since December 2018.
A line has been crossed today, but many lines have been crossed since 2016. Trumped up charges have been made against Maria Ressa to silence her and the news site, Rappler. And tonight she has been arrested, and even denied bail.
This administration is an enemy of independent thought—it speaks misogyny, and is allergic to dissent. It is a resounding confirmation to the world of the continuous erosion of democracy in the Philippines.
An attack on press freedom, the most prized principle in the Constitution of the Philippines and the most protected by our forebears since the American colonial period, is an attack on the freedom of the Filipino people.
I stand with Maria Ressa.
