Palace advises Rappler editors, reporters to blog instead

If all else fails, online news site Rappler can still continue its work as a blog, Malacañang proposed on Wednesday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. at a briefing in San Fernando City, La Union maintained that the Securities and Exchange Commission's decision to revoke Rappler's certificate of incorporation was not an issue of press freedom but "an issue of upholding the Constitutional ban on foreign ownership as far as the business of mass media is concern."

"Wala pong kahit sinong sinupil ang pananalita, wala pong kahit sino na pinagbawalan na ganapin ang kanilang papel bilang mga mamamahayag, wala pong kahit anong press company na pinasarado at pinagbawalan na maging journalism outfit," he said.

At this point, Roque advised Rappler editors and reporters to become bloggers instead.

"Pupuwede pa po sila na maging bloggers, malinaw po iyan. Maria Ressa can continue to blog, Pia Ranada can continue to blog, kaya nga lang po baka kinakailangan silang kumuha ng accreditation as bloggers. Kasi they cannot continue conducting their business as Rappler since that company has, for all intents and purposes been declared void by the SEC," Roque added.

He was referring to Rappler CEO and the site's Malacañang beat reporter, respectively.

With this proposal, Rappler will need to work with Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson whose office handles the controversial accreditation of bloggers. Uson in November 2017 asked her boss Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar to move Rappler from the Malacañang Press Corps to her office. — MDM, GMA News