FACT CHECK | Youtube video claim that Rappler is the ‘least trusted’ news media organization lacks context

June 17, 2022 , 08:30 PM

By Mikee Garcia

(June 17, 2022) – A Youtube video claimed that the online news platform Rappler is the least trusted news brand in the country. The video also reduced Rappler to “bloggers” without a license to operate.

This claim lacks context.

CLAIM:

In the video uploaded last June 16 on the Sangkay Janjan TV Youtube channel, the vlogger reacted to the 2022 Reuters Institute Digital News Report shared by the Manila Bulletin as the “Most Trusted News Organizations.”

With Rappler at the bottom of the list, which included different traditional news media organizations from tv, radio, and print, he commented:

“Ayan o, pinakadulo kayo…Talagang durog na durog po yung kanilang imahe sa ating bansa. Hindi po talaga kumbaga sumasalamin sa katotohanan ang Rappler dahil sila po mismo, wasak na wasak ang pangalan at wala pong naniniwala sa kanila.”

“Patapon na po, wala rin kayong lisensya diba. Parang ano lang kayo ngayon, website lang eh, news website. Yun lang po ang natatawag sa inyo, o blogger, mga blogger lamang po kayo. Hindi kayo katulad sa Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer, dahil nga po wala kayong lisensya. Bakit kayo tinanggalan eh lumabas po sa report, funded daw po ng Amerika. Yun nga po yung naka-pending na kaso,” he concluded.

RATING: LACKS CONTEXT

FACTS:

The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism last June 15 published its Digital News Report for 2022. The country profile of the Philippines noted how overall trust in media rose during a surge of COVID-19 cases when the survey was conducted.

But while trust in brands dropped, Rappler was actually one of the news media organizations that maintained its trust scores.

The study also noted that only select brands were included in the survey and thus it should not be treated as a list of “the most trusted brands.”

Rappler is a start-up online news media organization founded in 2012 with editorial standards and guidelines. They mainly publish their articles on their news website and social media platforms.

In 2018, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) revoked Rappler’s registration because it allegedly violated a clause in the Philippine constitution that limits media ownership to Filipino citizens.

The SEC ruling noted that Rappler’s two U.S. investors made the company non-compliant with Philippine law.

Malacañang has denied accusations of this move being politically-motivated and an attack on press freedom. But critics of the Duterte administration such as Rappler CEO and first Filipino Nobel Prize laureate Maria Ressa has been faced with charges of cyber libel and tax violations.

Rappler continues to operate to date with their case pending at the Court of Appeals.

The broadcasting giant ABS-CBN, however, was denied a congressional franchise in 2020 and was forced to shut down.

WHY THIS MATTERS:

As of writing, the video has received 225,512 views, over 30,000 likes, and 1,268 comments. The Sangkay Janjan TV Youtube channel has more than 975,000 subscribers.

News5 is part of #FactsFirstPH which brings together various sectors that are committed to promoting truth in the public space, and exacting accountability on those who harm it with lies. For those interested to join the initiative, e-mail info@factsfirst.ph. Message News 5’s Facebook page if you want to have any claims fact-checked.

Read our fact-checking policy here.

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