Maria Ressa is an extraordinary example of Princeton in the nation's -- and world's -- service. Anyone who knows Maria like me is not surprised that she has put her principles before her own safety and security. She is probably the last person who would have expected to be in the position of having to defend democracy, not only in the Philippines but indeed globally, as the insidious and sinister forces that are at work in the Philippines are also at work here in the U.S. and in other even more fragile democracies around the world.
As with most of my classmates, my first question was, how can I help? Well, in partnership with the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the Press Freedom Defense Fund is collecting funds for the defense and other related expenses which exceed $40,000 a month. This is part of the Duterte strategy, to throw up costly barriers to self-defense, so your support is more than just helpful -- it is a direct rejoinder to the cynical ploy of the regime to weaken and ultimately quell the forces of truth.
https://support.pressfreedomdefensefund.org/donate/pfdf
Maria's and Rappler's cause is our cause. Let's treat it like the existential threat it is.
On behalf of the Great Class of '86,