We are saddened to learn that on Monday Maria Ressa a Filipino American journalist we had on this podcast last year was convicted of cyber libel in the Philippines along with her colleague Ray Santos Jr.

Both are out on bail and are appealing the decision, but they face up to six years in prison.

Press Freedom Watchdog groups around the world have criticized the court's decisions as a direct attack on a Democratic

media outlet by the Duterte administration. Speaking to reporters after the

verdict, Maria said, for years I have been targeted by the authorities, by bought armies, by paid trolls, and fake news websites.

But I will not be silenced. I will fight this conviction and I will continue to do my duty to speak out and report the truth.

This is really hard news for both Aza and I to hear. We actually both just saw her in

January at the Sundance Film Festival with the release of her new film A

Thousand Cutts, which was just acquired by Frontline PBS.

So in honor of Maria's work, we are re-releasing our interview with her because unfortunately it

remains as timely as ever and also recommend that people see the documentary a

thousand cuts and if you'd like to support journalists who are working in this area, you can donate to

organizations like Committee to Protect Journalists or Reporters Without Borders or The Freedom

of the Press Foundation who are all working to support the freedom of the press worldwide.

I remembered getting 90, 9.0 hate messages per hour and I went to Facebook and I said I think I need help here.

This is Maria Ressa, arguably one of the bravest journalists working in the Philippines

today.

And they said just go ahead and report it and I, 24 hours in a day, 90 per hour,

even if it only takes me two minutes to report every single one.

It is impossible.

It should not be my responsibility.

Now, Marie is not the type of person who shrinks from responsibility.

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