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Journalists Maria Ressa, CEO of Philippine digital media outlet Rappler, and Dmitry Muratov, founder and head of the independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta, have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their investigative journalism and ongoing battles to protect freedom of expression and the press in their home countries, the Philippines and Russia, respectively.
According to the Norwegian Nobel Committee announcement this morning, “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 has previously been arrested and imprisoned for reporting news exposing government corruption and violence in the Philippines. Muratov’s newspaper has endured threats and several of its journalists have been killed for their reporting on corruption and illegal acts by those in power in Russia.
News Media Alliance President & CEO, David Chavern, stated, “I can think of no two more deserving recipients of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize than Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov. We should all recognize and applaud the sacrifices that these journalists have made and the bravery they’ve shown while fighting to protect the freedom of expression and the press – our freedoms, which preserve our rights to know the truth and for journalists to report the news, expose corruption at the highest levels, and hold those in power accountable.”
The Committee further stated, “The Norwegian Nobel Committee is convinced that freedom of expression and freedom of information help to ensure an informed public. These rights are crucial prerequisites for democracy and protect against war and conflict. 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.”
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Members of the News/Media Alliance staff have contributed to this post.
