CJR: On the Arrest of an Autocrat

Picture: Quezon City, Philippines, March 12, 2025—Relatives of those allegedly slain in the campaign of extrajudicial killings display their photos in front of that of arrested former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte. The banner reads "Jail Duterte." (AP photo/Aaron Favila)

In this article published by the Columbia Journalism Review, NYSEAN member Sheila S. Coronel writes about how former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is facing charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, marking a significant moment of accountability for his brutal drug war that killed thousands and instilled widespread fear in the media and public. His arrest, made possible by years of relentless efforts by journalists, activists, and victims' families, underscores the fragility of authoritarian power and the collective struggle for justice in the Philippines.

Sheila S. Coronel is the Toni Stabile Professor of Professional Practice in Investigative Journalism, Director of the Toni Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism at Columbia Journalism School, and founder of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism.

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