The social media platforms have taken over the distribution of news globally. They treat a lie the same way you would treat a fact.
The difference between Rappler and other newsgroups in the Philippines is that journalists control Rappler both editorially and commercially. We make decisions that are bad for business but protect the public sphere.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Rappler prioritizes public interest over commercial gain, unlike many other news organizations.
In this quote, Maria Ressa highlights the unique position of Rappler in the Philippines' media landscape. While many newsgroups often prioritize profitability and commercial interests, Rappler maintains editorial independence, allowing its journalists to make choices that serve the public good, even if those decisions may negatively impact the company's financial performance. This commitment reflects a broader ethos in journalism that values accountability and integrity over mere business success.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about media ethics, I might reference Maria Ressa's commitment to journalistic integrity.
More from Maria Ressa
All quotes →If you want to rip the heart out of a democracy, you go after the facts. That's what modern authoritarians do. You lie. All the time. Then, you say it's your opponents and the journalists who lie.
Embrace your fear. Imagine what you're most afraid of, touch it and hold it so that you rob it of its power.
Let me go back to a fundamental thing we all used to agree on: information is power. That's why we became journalists in the first place.
Technology enabled Rappler's fast growth starting in 2012, but we were also among the first victims when social media was weaponized in 2016.
In 14 months, my government, the Philippine 2 government, has filed 11 cases. I posted bail eight times, I've been arrested twice in five weeks, detained once, and the only thing I've done, my only crime is to be a journalist, to speak truth to power.
Similar quotes
If youre a reporter, the easiest thing in the world is to get a story. The hardest thing is to verify. The old sins were about getting something wrong, that was a cardinal sin. The new sin is to be boring.
I joined the 'Times' in 1972, and I came with the mark of Cain on me because I was clearly against the war. But my editor, Abe Rosenthal, he hired me because he liked stories. He used to come to the Washington bureau and almost literally pat me on the head and say, 'How is my little Commie today? What do you have for me?'
I'm sometimes embarrassed by how clinical I can become when I'm out reporting.
The most important ethical issues and the most difficult ones are the human ones because a reporter has enormous power to hurt people.
Journalism, some huge percentage of it, should be devoted to putting pressure on power, on nonsense, on chicanery of all kinds and if that's going to invite a lawsuit, well, bring it on.
Whenever you're reporting, there's always something you can't say or write, but the questions, you always want to get as close to that line as possible. You want to ask the tough questions.