Ressa wins Nobel Peace Prize, named Person of the Year 2021 by TIME Magazine and UNESCO World Press Freedom
The Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines lauds Maria Ressa for
winning the Nobel Peace Prize for 2021.Coming on the heels of her being
named one of the Guardians of Press Freedom recognized as Person of the Year
by TIME Magazine in 2018 and the UNESCO World Press Freedom Prize in 2021, this award is an affirmation of her lifelong commitment to safeguarding freedom of expression and freedom of the press. These are crucial to a functioning democracy, without which we are subject to disinformation and outright abuse of power. This award should inspire journalists all over the world to always uphold the truth, even in the face of intimidation.
Maria Ressa was the first Filipino to win the Nobel Peace Prize and the first woman to be honoured this year. File photo: Reuters
Who is Maria Ressa? Girlie Linao of The Guardian writes:
The news that journalist Maria Ressa has been awarded the Nobel peace prize has been greeted with joy by defenders of human rights in the Philippines.
Ressa last week became the first Filipino journalist to be awarded the prestigious prize, which she shared with Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov.
The award put a spotlight on the struggle of journalists and activists fighting President Rodrigo Duterte’s attacks against press freedom and human rights, amid his brutal drug war that has left thousands dead.
For the past five years, Ressa and her news website Rappler did not waver in reporting on alleged abuses and corruption in the Duterte administration.
The award was announced on 8 October, as Ressa and Rappler were busy reporting on the last day of registration for candidates in next year’s national and local elections.
Six top politicians were among nearly 100 people who have registered to run to succeed Duterte in the May 2022 elections, but the final list will only be out later in the year.
Duterte critic Senator Leila De Lima, who has been detained since 2017 over drug charges that have drawn accusations of being politically motivated, said the timing of the prize award was perfect.
“This is truly a triumph of truth over lies, and the award has not come at a more opportune time than during our struggle to regain our lost freedoms under Duterte,” said De Lima, who is running for re-election while in detention.
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