Lagatar24 Desk
Stockholm, Oct.8: The Nobel Peace Prize 2021 has been awarded to journalists Maria Ressa of the Philippines and Dmitry Muratov of Russia for their fight for freedom of expression in their countries.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee decided to award prize to the duo for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace.
BREAKING NEWS:
The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize to Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace.#NobelPrize #NobelPeacePrize pic.twitter.com/KHeGG9YOTT— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) October 8, 2021
A statement by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Maria Ressa uses freedom of expression to expose abuse of power, use of violence and growing authoritarianism in her native country, the Philippines. In 2012, she co-founded Rappler, a digital media company for investigative journalism. As a journalist and the Rappler’s CEO, laureate Maria 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.
“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,” said the chairwoman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Berit Reiss-Andersen..
Ressa, 58, told Norwegian TV2 she was “shocked” and “emotional” to receive the honour, which she said would give her and her colleagues “tremendous energy to continue the fight.”
On the other hand, Dmitry Muratov has for decades defended the freedom of speech in Russia under increasingly challenging conditions. In 1993, he was one of the founders of the independent newspaper Novaja Gazeta.
He has consistently defended the right of journalists to write anything they want about whatever they want, as long as they comply with the professional and ethical standards of journalism. “Free, independent and fact-based journalism helps protect against abuse of power, lies and war propaganda”, Reiss-Andersen said.
The prize, which consists of a diploma, a gold medal, and a check for 10 million kronor (980,000 euros, $1.1 million), is customarily presented on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death in 1896.
The Nobel Peace Prize is the only one given in Norway’s capital.
Due to the epidemic, it is unclear whether Ressa and Muratov will be able to go to Oslo to accept the honour.
The Nobel Institute in Oslo will decide whether to perform its celebration online or in person in the following days.
The Nobel season will come to a close on Monday with the presentation of the Economics Prize.
