Philippines media freedom

Han Thar Nyein of Myanmar and Lady Ann Salem of the Philippines have been shortlisted for their efforts to hold corrupt and repressive governments to account.

As expected, the Philippines' new leader has done little to reverse his predecessor's dire track record on free speech.

The journalist and Nobel laureate faces a number of charges relating to her pioneering work at the local news site Rappler.

The killing of Percival Mabasa underscored the country's status as one of the world's most perilous for journalists.

Judging from the recent election campaign and the new president's first two weeks in office, the signs are not good.

The news site has published numerous exposes of the Duterte administration's "drug war" and other government abuses.

The Philippine president threatened to shut down major telecom operators and said Beijing was “in possession” of the South China Sea.

ABS-CBN stopped broadcasting in May. The rejection of its license renewal request this week takes it off the air for good.

Domestic and international watchdogs condemned the verdict, which may put countless local journalists and internet users at risk of charges they cannot fight.

ABS-CBN, which had repeatedly drawn the ire of Rodrigo Duterte, was forced to stop broadcasting on Tuesday, leading to allegations of a political hit job.

ABS-CBN, often critical of President Duterte, was ordered to stop operating after its 25-year congressional franchise ended Monday.