Skip to content
GetRealPundit

GetRealPundit

Raw opinion

  • About
  • Recent Comments
  • Submit an article
  • Privacy Policy
  • Support Forum
  • Toggle search form

The whole trouble with “standing with” Maria Ressa

Posted on December 4, 2018December 4, 2018 By benign0 No Comments on The whole trouble with “standing with” Maria Ressa
Share
Tweet
Share

The current fashion statement of Yellowtard supporters of embattled Rappler CEO Maria Ressa is to express on social media that they “stand with” Maria Ressa because they stand with “press freedom”. The trouble with that is you set yourself up for a potential problematic ideological conundrum whenever you declare loyalty to both ideas and people.

In this case, loyalty to “press freedom” is not that bad a notion. After all, without “press freedom”, journalists will not be able to write about the “truth”, right? Right. However, does the equation Maria Ressa = Press Freedom actually hold? What about those who are not standing with Maria Ressa but are advocates of “press freedom”? Does the fact of their ambivalence to God’s Gift to Philippine Journalism make them less of a credible advocate of “press freedom”? According to whose judgment?

More importantly, Ressa is currently in the midst of a legal battle surrounding her tax evasion charges. This means that, at some point, a court will rule on whether she is guilty of those charges or not. When that time comes and, say for purposes of discussion, Ressa is found guilty and convicted of tax evasion, what then? Will these self-described advocates of “press freedom” who proclaim their loyalty to Ressa continue to stand with her?

Therein lies the whole trouble with loyalty to people above ideas in political discourse and polticial “activism”. People change. Principles, on the other hand, remain relatively consistent over time. So-called “activists” and social justice warriors should exercise caution when locking in their loyalties with the trending personality of the moment lest they set themselves up to be repeatedly called out for inconsistency later on when cult of personality no longer reconciles neatly with the principles at stake.

benign0
benign0

Webmaster of Get Real Philippines

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • More
  • Telegram
  • WhatsApp
Crime Tags:freedom of expression, journalism, Maria Ressa

Post navigation

Previous Post: Maria Ressa should behave like a professional rather than like a spoilt brat when facing her tax evasion charges
Next Post: Canadian foreign minister Chrystia Freeland (@cafreeland) seems to be calling the Philippine government a LIAR

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Subscribe to Blog via Email

We'll notify you by email when a new post is published.

Join 35 other subscribers
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Welcome!

  • Register
  • Log in

Archives

Recent comments

  • benign0 on Why does @1Sambayan need to wait until June 12?That's the million dollar question -- their abilit
  • Aldus Santos on Why does @1Sambayan need to wait until June 12?Even themselves cannot decide on who would be thei
  • Khayri Woulfe on Maria Ressa’s Mess at ABS-CBNMaria Ressa and ABS-CBN the most annoying teledram
  • DonDon Santos on “HR consultant” @SidLumawig encourages employers to discriminate based on political affiliationHAHAHA! Baka call center naman ng Dilawan trolls k
  • DonDon Santos on The show must go on for Kim Chiu even after a near-death experience!Tulog DAW siya...pero nabilang ang dami ng putok..

Copyright © 2023 GetRealPundit.

Powered by PressBook WordPress theme