Philippine journalist Maria Ressa (C) is surrounded by the press as she is escorted by a National Bureau Investigation (NBI) agent (L) at the NBI headquarters after her arrest in Manila on February 13, 2019. - Ressa, who has repeatedly clashed with President Rodrigo Duterte, was arrested in her Manila office on February 13 in what rights advocates called an act of "persecution". (Photo by TED ALJIBE / AFP) (Photo credit should read TED ALJIBE/AFP/Getty Images)
Video Ad Feedback
Rappler CEO's arrest "politically motivated", says lawyer
03:02 - Source: CNN
World News 16 videos
Philippine journalist Maria Ressa (C) is surrounded by the press as she is escorted by a National Bureau Investigation (NBI) agent (L) at the NBI headquarters after her arrest in Manila on February 13, 2019. - Ressa, who has repeatedly clashed with President Rodrigo Duterte, was arrested in her Manila office on February 13 in what rights advocates called an act of "persecution". (Photo by TED ALJIBE / AFP) (Photo credit should read TED ALJIBE/AFP/Getty Images)
Video Ad Feedback
Rappler CEO's arrest "politically motivated", says lawyer
03:02
Now playing
- Source: CNN
screengrab minnie chan
Video Ad Feedback
Another reporter vanished in China. Here's what we know
03:18
Now playing
- Source: CNN
Russian drag artist
Video Ad Feedback
Russian drag artist speaks out after new LGBTQ court ruling
02:48
Now playing
- Source: CNN
Gaza Wedeman dnt
Video Ad Feedback
Bodies pile up in Gaza as Israeli military operations resume
02:21
Now playing
- Source: CNN
Mstyslav Chernov Amanpour vpx 1
Video Ad Feedback
Ukrainian filmmaker captures the scene in Mariupol at the start of the war
02:56
Now playing
- Source: CNN
Burnett Mark Regev Split
Video Ad Feedback
Burnett confronts top Israeli official about October 7 intelligence failure
04:09
Now playing
- Source: CNN
Budanova Marianna vpx
Video Ad Feedback
'Personal revenge by Putin': Wife of Ukraine's spy chief poisoned
03:11
Now playing
- Source: CNN
West Bank Jenin Raid 1 SCREENGRAB
Video Ad Feedback
Israeli troops kill 8-year-old boy during raid of West Bank refugee camp
02:59
Now playing
- Source: CNN
ukrainian soldier
Video Ad Feedback
How one Ukrainian soldier survived on his own in a trench for days
03:16
Now playing
- Source: CNN
One of the trapped workers is checked out after he was rescued from the collapsed tunnel site in Uttarkashi in the northern state of Uttarakhand, India, November 28, 2023. Uttarkashi District Information Officer/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES.
Video Ad Feedback
See welcome given to construction workers after being rescued
02:17
Now playing
- Source: CNN
Family members stand outside the court during a hearing lawsuits against Malaysia Airlines over missing flight MH370, in Beijing on November 27, 2023.
Video Ad Feedback
Missing flight MH370 lawsuit heard in China
02:45
Now playing
- Source: CNN
exp Riddell Shipnuck LIV and Let Die 112805pseg2 CNNI Sports_00012101.png
Video Ad Feedback
LIV and the fight for the future of Golf
05:25
Now playing
- Source: CNN
YACHT
Video Ad Feedback
This $50 million yacht may be linked to Putin, according to Russian investigations group
03:48
Now playing
- Source: CNN
The U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Mason pulls alongside a fleet replenishment oiler in the Atlantic Ocean, July 17, 2021.
Video Ad Feedback
'Like the gloves are off': Military analyst reacts after ballistic missiles fired toward US warship
01:03
Now playing
- Source: CNN
West bank Nima
Video Ad Feedback
You may not see Palestinians celebrating their family members' return. Here's why
02:47
Now playing
- Source: CNN
ukrainian civilians drones coren pkg 2
Video Ad Feedback
This Ukrainian couple turned their apartment into a drone-making center
03:32
Now playing
- Source: CNN

Editor’s Note: Steven Butler is the Asia program coordinator for the Committee to Protect Journalists. The views expressed in this commentary are his own. View more opinion on CNN.

CNN  —