AN ONLINE news website critical of the Duterte administration said the Executive branch should not be allowed to “undermine the rights of the free press” after it was barred from covering events attended by President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

In a pleading submitted to the Supreme Court, Rappler said the Constitution guarantees that the press “will remain free and independent of the government.”

“It has rights guaranteed by the Constitution that the Executive branch cannot take away,” it added.

The news website said Malacañang’s coverage ban had diluted the rights of the free press. “Doing so violates the Constitution’s promise of independence,” it added.

The Solicitor General earlier said the coverage ban had nothing to do with free press and the presidential palace could rightly impose accreditation requirements.

The government lawyer also said media accreditation is pursuant to two executive orders and the by-laws of the Malacañang Press Corps.

Rappler belied the government’s claim that Rappler was not engaged in the business of mass media.

“This again forgets that membership in the free press is not dependent on a license, a business or a building permit,” it said.

The high court has “recognized petitioner Rappler as a nontraditional member of the press with rights to news coverage and dissemination in two instances,” it added.

Rappler in April asked the high court to stop the palace’s coverage ban.

Mr. Duterte ordered the ban in March, accusing the website of twisting his statements.

Before this, Malacañang barred Rappler’s reporter from entering the palace. The ban was later extended to all its reporters including provincial correspondents. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

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