Here's Why Journalist Maria Ressa Has Won Nobel Peace Prize 2021

Maria Ressa Nobel Peace Prize: For her efforts to "expose abuse of power, use of violence and growing authoritarianism in her native country, the Philippines," journalist Maria Ressa is the recipient of the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize for 2021, the Norwegian Nobel Committee said Friday. The co-founder of digital news outlet Rappler, Ressa wins the award jointly with Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov.

Recognising their efforts to safeguard free expression, "a precondition for democracy and lasting peace," in their respective countries, the committee in their statement said they were "representatives of all journalists who stand up for this ideal" in a climate facing adverse conditions for press freedoms.

A celebrated journalist, who also won this year's UNESCO World Press Freedom Prize, Ressa becomes the first independent Filipino Nobel laureate. More on her here.

"Free, independent and fact-based journalism serves to protect against abuse of power, lies and war propaganda... The award of the Nobel Peace Prize to Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov is intended to underscore the importance of protecting and defending these fundamental rights," the committee declared.

The two laureates were selected out of a total of 329 candidates for the Prize, which is worth a $1.1 million award.

What You Should Know About Maria Ressa Nobel Peace Prize Efforts

Ressa had a long stint with CNN in Asia as an investigative journalist before she established Rappler in 2012, beginning with an all-female founding team. In the Philippines, Rappler stands as a strong journalistic voice confronting the controversial regime of incumbent President Rodrigo Duterte.

Last year, Ressa was found guilty in a case of cyberlibel, which many from the international community hold is a big blow to the country's press freedoms and is being used to silence her. Duterte, whose aggressive anti-drug campaign in the country has led to a high number of deaths, as mentioned by the Nobel committee, has on multiple occasions expressed direct opposition to Ressa and Rappler. 

"As a journalist and the Rappler’s CEO, Ressa has shown herself to be a fearless defender of freedom of expression. Rappler has focused critical attention on the Duterte regime’s controversial, murderous anti-drug campaign," the committee said.

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