Part 6/11:
A similar pattern of online abuse and disinformation is evident in the Philippines, where social media has become a battleground for political and ideological conflicts. Rappler, an internationally recognized fact-checking organization, has faced relentless attacks from supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte, especially after publishing reports critical of his brutal drug war.
Rappler’s reporters, including its founder Maria Reza, describe a climate of hostility that includes rape threats, death threats, and harassment targeting both journalists and their families. The online vitriol isn't spontaneous but appears strategically organized, rooted in the widespread use of bots and fake accounts designed to discredit the press and foster a climate of impunity for online abuse.