The 2021 Nobel Peace Prize for María Ressa and Dmitry Muratov recognizes independent journalism in the Philippines and Russia
Maria Ressa (i) and Dmitry Muratov (r) were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021.
Photo: ISAAC LAWRENCE, YURI KADOBNOV / AFP / Getty Images
The Philippine Journalist Maria ressa and the russian Dimitri muratov have been recognized this Friday with the Prize Peace Nobel awarded each year by the Norwegian Committee, for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression and independent journalism and, by extension, democracy and peace.
The jury has recognized his “brave fight” both in Philippines like in Rusia, but has also described them as an example of journalists working in “increasingly adverse conditions”.
“Without freedom of expression or of the press, it will be difficult to promote brotherhood among nations, disarmament and a better world order,” added the jury of the Nobel Prize.
Both journalists represent two specially designated media in their respective countries, since Ressa participated in 2012 in the founding of the Rappler portal, critical of the Government of Rodrigo Duterte and with actions such as his ‘war on drugs’, investigated by the Prosecutor’s Office of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“The number of deaths (in these police operations) is so high that the campaign seems like a war against the country’s own population,” said the jury in its conclusions, in which it described Ressa as “a tireless defender of freedom of expression.” Not surprisingly, there are several cases open both against her and against her environment.
Russian journalist Dimitri Muratov launched ‘Novaya Gazeta’ in 1993, an independent newspaper that has lost six of its journalists, who were murdered, throughout its history. One of these victims was Anna Politkovskaya, whose death was precisely 15 years old this Thursday.
‘Novaya Gazeta’ is “the most independent newspaper in Russia”, “with a critical attitude towards power”, as recognized by the jury, which praises the “professional integrity” of its writing and its ability to echo stories rather than other form would not be published, for example relating to cases of corruption, police violence or electoral fraud.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee has stressed that “a free, independent and fact-based journalism serves as protection against abuses of power, lies and propaganda”, something that he wanted to recognize in the figures of Ressa and Muratov.
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