Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested and will face trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. Nobel laureate Maria Ressa, who has written extensively on the dangers of disinformation and authoritarianism, welcomes the development as a step towards accountability.
Ressa believes that Duterte’s arrest marks a turning point for the Philippines, where thousands of people were killed during his “war on drugs” campaign. She notes that the country is still divided, with supporters taking to the streets in strongholds while others struggle with the fallout of the anti-drug campaign.
However, Ressa warns that the global situation is more concerning, particularly in the US. She argues that social media companies are now being used to undermine democracy, citing examples from her own reporting on disinformation in the Philippines. The American-Filipina journalist believes that time is running out for democracy and urges people to take action.
Ressa’s comments come as the world watches the 2024 US presidential elections unfold against a backdrop of rising populism and authoritarianism. She warns that if the “broligarchy state” gives power to tech giants, it could lead to dire consequences for democracy. Ressa emphasizes the importance of protecting free speech and taking action to prevent the erosion of democratic values.
The arrest of Duterte highlights the need for accountability and transparency in governance, particularly in the context of social media’s role in shaping public opinion. As the world grapples with these challenges, Ressa’s words serve as a cautionary tale for democracy.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/mar/18/rodrigo-duterte-social-media-democracy-disinformation-maria-ressa