A New York Times photo of journalist Maria Ressa was doctored by a Facebook page to falsely imply she is dead.
The photo posted Oct. 18 by The Fake Vice President was accompanied by the text:
Hindi namin malilimutan ang iyong kahusayan Gng. Maria Ressa. #DemocracyIsDead #Rappler (We will not forget your excellence, Madam Maria Ressa. #DemocracyIsDead #Rappler)
The original photo, which appeared in an Oct. 15 New York Times article about Ressa and Rappler, shows the Rappler cofounder and executive editor sitting upright and using a laptop. The Times caption said the photo was taken in June as Ressa was making her way to the office after a court appearance.
The FB page cropped and rotated Ressa’s image more than 45 degrees counterclockwise. However, it retained all the other items on the original photo--the headline, logo and text--to make the photo appear legitimate.
Ressa and former Rappler writer Reynaldo Santos Jr. were charged with cyber libel by businessman Wilfredo Keng over a 2012 article in which Santos referred to Keng’s "shady past."
The manipulated photo appeared on the same day Ressa and Santos, citing lack of evidence, asked the court to dismiss the case. (AL, MN)
References
Buan, L. (2019, September 27). Keng demands P50M in damages in Rappler cyber libel case. Retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/nation/241185-keng-demands-damages-cyber-libel-case.
Buan, L. (2019, June 21). Maria Ressa cyber libel case proceeds to trial at Manila court. Retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/nation/233581-maria-ressa-cyber-libel-cases-proceeds-trial-manila-rtc-branch-46.
Buan, L. (2019, April 16). Manila court defers arraignment of Maria Ressa. Retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/nation/228279-manila-court-defers-arraignment-maria-ressa-cyber-libel-case.
Charm, N. (2019, October 18). Rappler seeks dismissal of cyberlibel case. Retrieved from https://www.bworldonline.com/rappler-seeks-dismissal-of-cyberlibel-case/
Edera, E. (2019, June 21). Trial of Rappler CEO’s cyber-libel case starts July 23. Retrieved from https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/06/21/trial-of-rappler-ceos-cyber-libel-case-starts-july-23/.
Ellis-Petersen, H. (2019, July 23). Philippines libel trial of journalist critical of Rodrigo Duterte begins. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/23/philippines-libel-trial-of-maria-ressa-journalist-critical-of-president-duterte-begins
Hammer, J. (2019, October 15). The journalist vs. the president, with life on the line. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/15/magazine/rappler-philippines-maria-ressa.html
Santos, R. (2012, May 29). CJ using SUVs of 'controversial' businessmen. Retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/6061-cj-using-suvs-of-controversial-businessmen
The Fake Vice President. (2019, October 18). Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/TheFakeVP/photos/a.358032861476538/461690657777424/?type=3&theater