Facing jail, Philippine journalist will welcome backing from Tokyo

Maria Ressa: 'Your support has helped me stay out of prison'

20200622 Filipino-American journalist Maria Ressa

Maria Ressa said Monday she would welcome backing from the Japanese government, days after being convicted of libel. (Screenshot from FCCJ's Vimeo page)

CLIFF VENZON, Nikkei staff writer

MANILA -- Internationally acclaimed journalist Maria Ressa, a prominent critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, said Monday she would welcome backing from the Japanese government after she was convicted of "cyber libel."

Ressa, who heads Philippine news website Rappler, and a former colleague, Reynaldo Santos, are facing up to six years in prison after a Manila court last week found the two guilty of libel.

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