Nobel Peace Prize winner Philippine journalist Maria Ressa on Saturday said her award was for “all journalists around the world”, as she vowed to continue her battle for press freedom.
In a statement, the Norwegian Nobel Committee said they have “decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2021 to Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace. Ms Ressa and Mr Muratov are receiving the Peace Prize for their courageous fight for freedom of expression in the Philippines and Russia. At the same time, they are representatives of all journalists who stand up for this ideal in a world in which democracy and freedom of the press face increasingly adverse conditions.”
Ressa, 58, co-founder of news website Rappler, and Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov were awarded the prize on Friday for their efforts to “safeguard freedom of expression”.
Rappler, a digital media company for investigative journalism, which Ressa heads, was founded in 2012.
“This is really for all journalists around the world,” Ressa, a vocal critic of Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, said in an AFP interview.
“We do need help on so many fronts — it is so much more difficult and dangerous to be a journalist today.”
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Philippine press groups and rights activists hailed Ressa’s award as a “triumph” as the Philippines is ranked one of the world’s most dangerous journalists.
According to reports, Ressa and Rappler were under various attacks since Duterte was swept to power in 2016. Duterte has called Rappler a “fake news outlet”. Resse has been a staunch critic of the policies of the Duterte government.
Resse expressed her hope that the prize would protect her and other journalists in the Philippines against physical attacks and online threats.
“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 number of deaths is so high that the campaign resembles a war waged against the country’s own population. Ms Ressa and Rappler have also documented how social media is being used to spread fake news, harass opponents and manipulate public discourse,” read the statement from Nobel Committee.
“This ‘us against them’ was never the creation of the journalists, it was the creation of the people in power who wanted to use a type of leadership that divides society,” Ressa said, describing the award “like a shot of adrenalin”.
“I hope this allows journalists to do our jobs well without fear.”
