Duterte Decries ‘Fake News’ as Critics Warn of Media Crackdown
- Philippine leader denies hand in Rappler shutdown order
- Rappler says to challenge shutdown order up to Supreme Court
Rappler’s editorial office in Manila on Jan. 15.
Photographer: Ted Aljibe/AFP via Getty Images
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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte branded news website Rappler Inc. a “fake news outlet”, but denied he influenced the Securities and Exchange Commission’s order to shut down the news agency known to be critical of his government.
“You can stop your suspicious mind from roaming somewhere else. But since you are a fake news outlet then I am not surprised that your articles are also fake,” Duterte said in a press briefing in Pasay City on Tuesday, addressing a Rappler reporter. “You went overboard, you are not only throwing toilet paper, you are throwing shit at us.”