: These Are the 10 ‘Most Urgent’ Cases of Threats to Press Freedom Around the World in July 2020 #WorldNEWS In mid-June, Maria Ressa, the co-founder of award-winning Philippines-based news site Rappler

These Are the 10 ‘Most Urgent’ Cases of Threats to Press Freedom Around the World in July 2020 #WorldNEWS
In mid-June, Maria Ressa, the co-founder of award-winning Philippines-based news site Rappler and critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, was convicted of cyber libel.
The move against Ressa — who was one of four journalists and one news organization named TIME 2018 Person of the Year for their “pursuit of greater truths” in the face of threats — was the latest blow to free press in the country. Ressa was convicted to between six months and six years in prison, but will remain out of prison while an appeal works its way through the higher courts, potentially to the Philippines’ Supreme Court, according to Rappler.

“The verdict against Maria Ressa highlights the ability of the Philippines’ abusive leader to manipulate the laws to go after critical, well-respected media voices whatever the ultimate cost to the country,” Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement. “The Rappler case will reverberate not just in the Philippines, but in many countries that long considered the country a robust environment for media freedom. ”
In light of the conviction, Ressa is at the top of the One Free Press Coalition — which includes nearly 40 news organizations, including TIME — list of the 10 most urgent cases threatening press freedom around the world.
Read about the 10 journalists on Julys list here:

Maria Ressa (Philippines)

Filipino-U. S. dual citizen sentenced in cyber libel case.
On June 15, a Manila court convicted Maria Ressa, editor of the privately owned Rappler news website, and Reynaldo Santos, a former researcher at the outlet, of cyber libel. The criminal offense requires each journalist to pay ,950 in fines and moral damages as well as serve a jail term of six months to six years. Both are free on bail pending their appeal. The case arose from a public interest article Rappler published in 2012 about a local businessman’s alleged ties to a former judge, who was later impeached for corruption, and purported links to drug and human trafficking rings.

Azimjon Askarov (Kyrgyzstan)

Award-winning human rights reporter imprisoned 10 years.
June 15 marked 10 years since ethnic Uzkek Azimjon Askarov was arrested on trumped-up charges that included incitement to ethnic hatred and complicity in the murder of a police officer. A Kyrgyz court heard the final appeal in his case in May and upheld his life sentence. His health is deteriorating in detention, with limited access to medication and mistreatment by prison officials. His wife, Khadicha Askarova, has written to Kyrgyzstan’s president pleading for his release.

Solafa Magdy (Egypt)

Nearly four months without updates from imprisoned journalist in deteriorating health.