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4.34 AVERAGE
4.34 AVERAGE
challenging
informative
tense
medium-paced
This was an important memoir to read. I was super interested in the data collection the author and their company underwent.
This is my third book of the year that included insights into the tech world, specifically Meta’s actions, and more and more they’re appearing to be not just a US but a global villain.
I was also surprised to hear that Ressa was arrested multiple times rather than once. When I think about attacks on the press, I think about people being locked away rather than able to continue their work. Ressa is a strong actor who stuck with her mission to ensure a free press.
This is my third book of the year that included insights into the tech world, specifically Meta’s actions, and more and more they’re appearing to be not just a US but a global villain.
I was also surprised to hear that Ressa was arrested multiple times rather than once. When I think about attacks on the press, I think about people being locked away rather than able to continue their work. Ressa is a strong actor who stuck with her mission to ensure a free press.
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Finally finished this book and it took me so long to read because of how much this book demanded my thoughts and attention at the state of our world, and specifically, the Philippines today. Democracy has always been a challenge, but with the recent Philippine elections, I felt the pressure of what it means to be informed about the facts now more than ever.
This book highlights the demand for press freedom and journalism that aims to achieve "transparency, accountability, and consistency" (these three things as quoted from the book). Reading this, I felt heavy because Ressa and many other journalists' desire to deliver facts and truth to people have to come with a weighty cost. This book made me feel intensely concerned at state of our world with how tech/media companies manage our data and experiences online and how it capitalises on fear and hatred. But at the same time, Ressa's conviction and passion to call for action gives me hope and what it can do for our communities and societies. I hope this book only continues to fuel me and others to seek the truth and use it as a tool to bring people together and fight against injustice, not as a means to create an "us against them" narrative that only split us further apart.
Really enjoyed this but I would note that if you are not so familiar with the Philippines and its politics, this might be a more difficult read. I also found myself needing to take more time with this book as the language used to write it is very matter of fact, which can make it slightly draggy at times. Despite this, I still think it's an important read as I gained a deeper respect for journalists and the jobs that they do. Journalists who fight to deliver facts and truth despite the dangers are people who we do not deserve!
This book highlights the demand for press freedom and journalism that aims to achieve "transparency, accountability, and consistency" (these three things as quoted from the book). Reading this, I felt heavy because Ressa and many other journalists' desire to deliver facts and truth to people have to come with a weighty cost. This book made me feel intensely concerned at state of our world with how tech/media companies manage our data and experiences online and how it capitalises on fear and hatred. But at the same time, Ressa's conviction and passion to call for action gives me hope and what it can do for our communities and societies. I hope this book only continues to fuel me and others to seek the truth and use it as a tool to bring people together and fight against injustice, not as a means to create an "us against them" narrative that only split us further apart.
Really enjoyed this but I would note that if you are not so familiar with the Philippines and its politics, this might be a more difficult read. I also found myself needing to take more time with this book as the language used to write it is very matter of fact, which can make it slightly draggy at times. Despite this, I still think it's an important read as I gained a deeper respect for journalists and the jobs that they do. Journalists who fight to deliver facts and truth despite the dangers are people who we do not deserve!
Stopped on page 84- not something I can keep up with right now. Maybe revisit over summer.
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
I take journalism for granted. The real, hard-hitting kind, where the truth is all that matters. Or, even worse, sometimes I forget that it exists amidst the din of social media posts, conspiracy theories, etc.
Maria Ressa deals in real journalism. After being a bureau chief for CNN, she cofounded Rappler, an online news organization in the Philippines. Rappler, and Ressa herself, quicky gained a powerful enemy: Rodrigo Duterte, then president of the Philippines.
Despite attacks from government, Rappler continued to focus on facts, publishing detailed reports on how social media was used to attack people and organizations, as well as sway elections.
This book is Ressa telling the story of her career. She soldiers on, despite legal challenges, social media attack, and more.
Social media is a huge focus here. Facebook in particular. Ressa went from thinking they could help spread the truth to realizing they care far more about profit. She also breaks down the tactics used to spread lies on social media.
Ressa doesn't sugarcoat, but her resilience is inspiring.
Recommended, but not when you want a feel-good read.
Immediately after finishing this, I donated to NPR. I'll try to do better about appreciating journalism.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Everyone needs to read this book now! What a heroine, what good they are doing, how bad are we being manipulated for the enrichment of a few.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced