Ressa contrasts Duterte trial with tech leader impunity
As the trial of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte begins at the International Criminal Court, Maria Ressa highlighted the lack of legal accountability for tech executives. She argued that digital leaders wield significant power without equivalent legal constraints.
Maria Ressa discussed the legal proceedings against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who was arrested in March 2025 and charged with crimes against humanity. His trial at the International Criminal Court is scheduled to begin on November 30th. Ressa contrasted this judicial process with the accountability of tech leaders, specifically naming Mark Zuckerberg as a "dictator" who controls the digital space for 97% of Filipinos who were online during her 2017 meeting with him.
Ressa argued that while political dictators face legal consequences, tech dictators have gained more power without equivalent accountability mechanisms. She highlighted that 10 cases were filed against her media outlet Rappler and 11 against her personally, leading to a decade-long legal battle that resulted in the loss of her right to travel until recently. Her comments underscore a perceived double standard in global accountability, where political leaders face international tribunals while tech executives who control critical information infrastructure operate without similar legal constraints.