Niger: Tous pous la Republique (TPLR) – Declaration de Presse (18.06.2020)

Philippines: Ressa finally pinned by the Authorities

This has been a slow train coming. The Philippine authorities has gone after her since the beginning of the reign of President Rodrigo Duterte. If you thought the ABS-CBN issues was a retaliation from the government towards the press. The same authorities has directly gone after Rappler and Maria Ressa since the start. They have wanted this so bad and found their escape.

Ressa and her online news organization have had issues with Duterte since the campaigning before the election. Duterte Campaign even blocked a Rappler reporter from his campaign. I’m sure plenty has forgotten about that part. So, to me there are clearly merits to the libel against Ressa, but they are not sanctioning the company. The company that they have gone after for its ownership and structure. Just like they have done with ABS-CBN. If you see pattern, I see it too.

That they finally got Ressa was just a matter of time. They got an old article and found some discrepancies and could with this get her detained. That’s because she is challenging the throne without any fear. The way the Rappler and Vera Files are going after the state officials and dropping juicy bombs that interfere with the way they are operating. The state doesn’t want that, but want clapping and cheers from the media houses. They want empty suits and celebrities cheering on and praising the team. This is not what the Rappler does and that’s why its so hard hit.

For the ones following, this was just a matter of time. The authorities have worked hard to pin something on Rappler and Ressa. They have been so on their case, that they have to more careful than anyone else. Whatever they do and whatever they say: It would scrutinized to hell and back. That is why we are here and seeing this happening over an old article from 2012 republished in 2014. It is just so fitting.

Yes, there are merits to the wrongdoing of some statements in the article and allegations towards the Wilfredo Keng. Still this is very fitting that this happens to a CEO and leader of a Media House or Outlet, which publish articles and stories that the government don’t want to have out. That’s why this is happening here and not to government friendly press. They are shielded, even if they could do something similar.

So with this in mind. Duterte and team can celebrate. They finally got one of their targets and possibly detained up to six years. Ressa is a target for who she is and what does. She is maybe not always correct about it. Still, the need for these voices are there. If this was cyber libel and defamation of character. Than, its weird that the article is still online. The one that is the reason for this case.

Now it will be easier to get rid of unfriendly stories. To give way to the ones writing, narrating and documenting wrongdoing by the authorities and the associates. The pork barrels and other schemes can be easier hidden. Since if you might write about it. They can libel your ass and your in the slammer. Instead of revealing a dishonest civil servant or public official, which the media should do. They have the microphone and the platform to undress the kings. However, if they are not allowed to do this. Then there is something wrong with the leadership.

This is worrying, this set a standard for possible criminal cases towards journalists and credited media persons. The saddest part of this is that it happened because of SUV and a Court Justice driving a car. The story on an SUV broke the back and was used a weapon against Rappler. That is how far the state goes now. The same government that are proud of destroying illegally imported vehicles. The ironies couldn’t be more blatant than this. Peace.

Tanzania: ACT Wazalendo Leader, Zitto Kabwe, to appeal censorship judgment (29.05.2020)

Philippines: Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) – “This Is How Liberty Dies…” (05.05.2020)

Opinion: The ABS-CBN closure is political retribution and nothing else

The ABS-CBN sent a few questionable and harsh ads towards the President Rodrigo Duterte during the 2016 campaign for his election. This is certainly the reason why the termination of license of the franchise and the gag-order earlier in the year was put on the media company. As this company has the ability to put pressure on the hard-headed Presidents of its time. That is why the last time it happen it was in 1972. A record Duterte should compete with, but clearly he wants too.

This is a battle and method of retaliation of the President and his team. As this is silencing a open critic. Just like they did with Leila De Lima and Antonio Trilanes. The state has also been fierce against the independent media house Rappler too. So, its not like ABS-CBN is getting a new treatment.

It might be a temporary set-back as a way of the President to prove that you don’t mess with him. That is why I call it a retaliation, because the Senate is the final place for consideration of the license of the Franchise. Even if the National Telecommunication Commission put the cease and desist order on the media house.

What we do know, is for the ones claiming that the owners are not paying taxes. The government as late as February 2020 said they were no liabilities and no arrears. The company has paid its taxes and paid its employees. Therefore, the thought of using as an argument for the closure is futile. Unless, your docile and believe anything.

ABS-CBN only gets this, because it dared to challenge Duterte and aired certain ads. This is his way of firing back and showing flex. Not that its any good. It only shows that he doesn’t have the heart or the ability to strike back with sense. The President doesn’t have the arguments or the ads to address his opposition. Instead, he uses his office and his power together with comrades to close it for a while. Just to show the owners, the journalists, that they should all be like 24 Oras on the GMA Network, because they will never sound the whistle at any government.

That’s why we are here today. We are in our 1972 moment. Where a President and his team uses their office to silence critics and by all means. Rappler was the owner structure and ABS-CBN its the franchise and its license. I am sure the government friendly press will never get into these issues. The ones who doesn’t air critical ads and content, which challenge the President in any form. But if you do, you better lawyer up and have your tools ready. Because, its going to get rocky and the road to redemption is long.

ABS-CBN is getting the full Duterte treatment. The full fury and furious intervention, maybe he will beg for forgiveness later. If he cares about the 11,000 people in limbo. However, that is not so important, as long as the President can signal that he doesn’t accept critical ads. ABS-CBN better follow the Duterte line, if not they will walk the plank. Peace.

Namibia: The Presidency – On World Press Freedom Day, President Hage G. Gein applauds the role of the Press in the fight against COVID-19 (03.05.2020)

Philippines: Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) – Statement of Solidarity on the Occasion of World Press Freedom Day 2020 (03.05.2020)

Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition: Press Statement on the Commoration of the World Press Freedom Day (03.05.2020)

Uganda Journalists Association: Speech by the President of Uganda Journalists Association, Haiji Kazibwe Bashir Mbazira, In celebration of hte World Press Freedom Day (03.05.2020)

Opinion: No one cares about French Montana

Well, this is not one of my usual one. Its been while since I discussed music. However, I need this in the midst of a pandemic. In the middle of quarantine and home-office. This week there been an influx of Youtube clips discussing French Montana after he challenged Kendrick Lamar. Which is a at best a hot-garbage. Why?

Well, first and foremost, who really deep in their hearts cares for French Montana’s music? A very limited scope of people. His the leach on other people’s tracks and without features he wouldn’t be listened too. His the knock-off Pitbull and Flo-Rida. To be that in 2020 and call out Kendrick is just obnoxious.

Frenchie French should chill. Take the Bad Boy Records Royalties, pray to the almighty lord over the blessings of P. Diddy aka Diddy or Puff Daddy’s connections so that he can public music and get royalties. Because French Montana doesn’t have the ability nor the skills to even compose a memorable song. He needs a feature to pull it off and save the day.

There is so little to say about French Montana. His is irrelevant if it wasn’t for Drake, Sway Lee and whoever letting him jump on tracks. The only reason I have ever listen to him is because his a feature on Pusha T records back-in-the-day and so on. Not because I wanted to listen to French Montana, because who wants to do that?

Unless, your mind is out of whack or high as a kite. There is very little grasp. No wordplay, lot’s of gimmicks and very little flair. Even Waka Flacka Flame has more of stage presence and finesse on a track like a modern day DMX without his ability to rhyme. Still, you remember Waka and you would even remember Lil Jon. However, remember French on something? Would be rare and I cannot even say one song I can remember him as a sole artist.

The only song I remember him on as the hook artist on a Pusha T joint and that says a lot. To be frank MIMS who had one single had more finesse on the one single his known for, than French has his whole career. So, that a guy like French are having the audacity to put himself on the pedestal and above Kendrick is just insulting. Not only to Kendrick, but to the culture.

French is lucky, if he will be remembered at all in the scheme of things. He will be the forgotten feature artist in few years time. The lingering sound-vomit that got lost. The one sort of loosing relevancy like Pitbull and Flo-Rida. Because, they got very little personality and very little versatile. Not like they have a unique character or way of rhyming that stands out. Not like their flows or their choices of beats are special either. They are following trends like sheep and hoping the biggest artists let them on the remix or have a song with them.

French Montana, better pray to the almighty Gods, ask for more favours from P. Diddy and also be graceful. His not a wordsmith, neither a great producer and not a musical genius. His the weird side-kick that needs a bunch of famous friends to hit the charts. It is fine and dandy, but not like he could serve a burning hot lava of bars. Not like French could pull of a banger without someone else being on it. He cannot carry song and ensure it hits the charts. That’s not happening. He needs it and he should know it.

However, self-awareness is a bit much to ask in this case. He has such big words for himself, that he rather drown the words, than trying to salvage something. Kendrick can just spit a feature verse and he can blow up a bad record. While French will nearly tarnish a good record by jumping on it. That also the other difference between these two.

French better chill, take a drink and buzz off. You got nothing and you shouldn’t challenge a King, Take a Snapple and rest. Peace.