After journalist Maria Ressa won the Nobel Peace Prize honor for her "efforts to safeguard freedom of expression," the Ateneans for 1Sambayan urged the public to "continue upholding press freedom and the right to expression."
In a statement, the group reminded the public to remember the "oppressive conditions that lead to Maria Ressa and Rappler's brave fight for freedom of expression."
"The administration has bent the law against the media time and time again for its own selfish agenda," the group said.
"Maria Ressa and Rappler have, and continue to face numerous trumped-up charges. The country's largest broadcast station ABS-CBN was shut down. Many local alternative news organizations face military harassment and red-tagging," it added.
Ressa and Rappler faced multiple criminal charges and investigations after publishing stories critical of President Rodrigo Duterte's policies, including the drug war.
Meanwhile, alternative news websites continued to face cyberattacks which were believed to be the work of "a large team with deep pockets."
The Department of Information and Communications Technology earlier confirmed that the cyberattacks on Bulatlat and Altermidya's websites were linked to the Philippine Army.
"While it is important to celebrate this historical achievement, we must honor Maria Ressa by continuing to uphold press freedom and the right to expression. These are prerequisites to any healthy democracies," Ateneans for 1Sambayan said.