Getting into Rappler’s fifteenth yr, with you beside us

For us, braveness has a face. And it’s yours.

What did braveness appear to be to you in 2025?

For us at Rappler, braveness regarded like selecting to be taught, even when it was uncomfortable, and demanded work over ease. 

This yr, we doubled down on that dedication by investing within the subsequent era: eight younger campus journalists accomplished our four-month fellowship, studying the craft straight inside our newsroom. By means of RappLearn, our on-line studying platform, we additionally broadened our mission to strengthen digital literacy and demanding considering. Simply final weekend, we held our first in-person AI Masterclass. In the event you joined us (we had been absolutely booked!) or helped unfold the phrase, thanks. There’s extra to return.

Braveness additionally meant gathering in particular person to be taught from one another. Tons of of advocates stuffed our most bold Social Good Summit but, the place Amal and George Clooney and Ukrainian human rights defender Oleksandra Matviichuk reminded us of the facility of hope within the face of violence and uncertainty. (Now you can watch the SGS periods in full right here.)

Braveness confirmed up within the streets. Throughout the Philippines, a whole bunch of 1000’s demanded accountability after a sequence of corruption investigations pulled again the curtain on systemic abuses. (We don’t need 2025 to finish with out chatting with you about this in particular person. Be part of us on December 10 for an unique Rappler+ newsroom briefing on the flood management scandal.)

Braveness surfaced within the midterm elections, too. A narrative that started with a sequence of citizen studies, shared on the Rappler app and raised throughout a MovePH Kapihan, helped expose Primewater and its ties to political energy. That collective vigilance helped weaken the grip of a dynasty on the polls.

It’s unimaginable to look again at 2025 and deny the influence of journalism. 

Practically 5 years after the Nobel, the work continues to show its value: empowering residents, strengthening democracy, and pushing again towards the darkness. However let me be clear: on the peak of journalism’s influence, the forces working to dismantle it have solely grown louder. 

This yr, algorithms additional de-prioritized information. AI supercharged disinformation networks. On-line violence escalated, and as we all know too effectively, on-line violence turns into real-world violence. Democracy is being attacked from inside, dismantled piece by piece, lie by lie.

That is the defining battle of our time: the battle to guard reality, belief, and democracy.

What did braveness appear to be for you in 2025? And what’s going to braveness appear to be in 2026?

For us, braveness has a face. And it’s yours.

You realized with us. You confirmed up. You stood with us. You voted with vigilance. You helped rebuild belief in a world flooded with doubt. You’re the hope of our democracy.

Are you able to imagine Rappler’s turning 15? In 2026, we braveness on — stronger, steadier, and extra dedicated than ever.

As we put together for the yr forward, we ask you to face with us. Please think about making a contribution by way of help.rappler.com. Each contribution helps us report, examine, innovate, and defend the reality in areas the place it’s most below menace.

Help can even take the type of partnerships. By means of your work, your college, your group. Ship me an e-mail if you wish to collaborate or convey RappLearn or our group applications to your house.

You’re our present. You energy this nation. Let’s preserve going. – Rappler.com