A Philippine court has acquitted journalist Maria Ressa and news outlet Rappler of tax evasion charges, a move hailed as a victory for press freedom.
“Today the facts win, the truth wins, justice wins,” said Ms Rissa, who could have faced up to 34 years in prison if convicted.
The Nobel laureate’s legal victory marks the end of a case that began in 2018.
Ms. Ressa, who founded Rappler, has been the target of legal action initiated by the Philippine government.
Under former leader Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippine government accused Ms. Ressa and Rappler of evading tax payments when she raised capital through partnerships with foreign investors.
The Philippines Department of Justice said Rappler’s issuance of financial instruments known as Philippine Depository Receipts to foreign investors generated taxable income of 141.86 million pesos (£2.1m; $2.58m). It was not announced in 2015. .
Ms Resa and Rappler denied the allegations and said the transactions involved legitimate financing mechanisms that did not generate taxable income.
In its ruling, the Court of Tax Appeals of the Philippines said prosecutors had failed to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and Ms. Ressa and Rappler did not profit from the transaction, according to Rappler’s report on the decision.
Speaking to reporters after the verdict, Ms. Ressa called it a victory for “every Filipino who has ever been unjustly accused.”
“These charges were politically motivated, they were unbelievable to us, a blatant abuse of power, and they were intended to prevent journalists from doing their jobs. These are cases where capital markets, the rule of law and the press freedom,” he said.
Francis Lim, Ms Ressa’s lawyer, said other businesses trying to raise capital could have been affected if the Philippine depository receipts had been treated as taxable income.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said the tax evasion case reflects the growing use of the law to retaliate and threaten journalists and civil society.
“While colleagues face similar legal challenges – from defamation to terrorism charges – in connection with their work, we are affected by the impunity if we stand up and stand up,” the union said in a statement. Hold the line and we can win.” .
The Philippine government has repeatedly tried to shut down Rappler, which has carried stories critical of Mr. Duterte’s administration. In January 2018, it revoked the news outlet’s operating license and said Rappler, which has two American investors, violated a provision of the constitution that limits media ownership to Filipino citizens.
In 2022, regulators again ordered Rappler to shut down. The outlet responded by saying it would not close and would challenge the order in court.
Ms Risa had previously been convicted of contempt and was sentenced to six years in prison in June 2020. He was later released on bail.
Wednesday’s acquittal is not the end of legal troubles for Ms. Risa and Rappler, as they still face three active court cases.
These are: Rappler’s appeal against the 2022 closure order; Ms. Ressa’s and former Rappler journalist Reynaldo Santos Jr.’s appeals against cybercrime convictions; And another tax case against Miss Resa and Rappler.
