otheywanttosing's review against another edition
5.0
"You always have the choice to be who you are. I choose—as I always have—to live by the values that define who I am. I will not become a criminal to fight a criminal. I will not become a monster to fight a monster."
This book brings into sharp focus how so many political events in the last 10 years have led to putting the Marcos family back in power. I got the chance to know the woman behind the name—not only Maria Ressa's achievements but also how her relationship with journalism evolved over the decades through CNN, ABS-CBN and Rappler. It helped me understand the job in the PH context a bit more. Maria Ressa does something that takes more bravery than most of us are born with: she sees big problems and, no matter the cost to her private self, refuses to look away.
The book lays down in horrible detail what Facebook's violence-amplifying algorithm is doing to weaken democracies all over the world, starting with election experiments in countries like the Philippines (third world, heavy and unregulated social media use). It was an autopsy of the last few years; I relived the heartbreak of Duterte's presidency and Leni's May 2022 loss. Powers that take advantage of this will discredit, arrest, and even kill anyone who fights against what Ressa calls the death of facts.
It makes me want to delete my accounts and cut social media out of my life, but I can't do that now. To do that is like giving up to the big machine. She says we need to stay vigilant and keep our eyes trained right on the enemy, to call out disinformation, before it blinds us all.
anncarve's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.25
dwager's review against another edition
The first half of this book, where Ressa describes her experiences growing up and becoming a journalist, was wonderful! The second half, where she discusses professional and political targeting, was more muddled. It dragged and felt repetitive and confusing.
katonthejellicoe's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
conorsweetman's review against another edition
3.0
Traces an inspiring life. Full of insight into technology and media outside the West, but feels a bit ideologically limited in its execution.