Journalists, bloggers join Rappler in Black Friday protest

Online news organization, Rappler, on Friday evening was joined by journalists, bloggers and press freedom advocates in the Black Friday protest at the Boy Scout Circle in Quezon City, Athena Imperial reported on "State of the Nation with Jessica Soho."

The activity was organized to uphold press freedom in light of the decision of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to revoke the registration of Rappler for supposedly violating the foreign ownership restrictions on mass media companies.

During the protest rally, Rappler CEO Maria Ressa highlighted the role of the press in a democracy.

"We're doing anything but journalism. We're speaking truth to power. That's what we do. That's what makes a democracy successful, the role of journalists, right?" Ressa said.

"And we're gonna keep doing that. We're not afraid and we won't be intimidated," she added.

The National Union of Journalist of the Philippines (NUJP) organized the "Black Friday" protest after the SEC revoked the online news website's license to operate, which they described as a threat to press freedom.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the Black Friday protests are proof that democracy in the Philippines is alive.

"This evening's Black Friday Protest for Freedom organized by the National Union of Journalist of the Philippines, is a testament that freedom is alice and democracy is alive in the Philippines," Roque said. — Margaret Claire Layug/BAP, GMA News