The journalists from the Philippines and Russia are honored for their dedication to independent media in the face of increasing global threats.
Filipina journalist Maria Ressa and Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov have been awarded the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize for their courageous efforts to defend independent journalism in their respective countries. The Norwegian Nobel Committee recognized their vital roles in protecting democracy and promoting the truth, especially as press freedom faces growing threats worldwide.
Ressa, the CEO and co-founder of Rappler, and Muratov, the editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta, were praised for their unwavering commitment to free, fact-based journalism, which serves to counter abuse of power, misinformation, and war propaganda. Berit Reiss-Andersen, chair of the committee, highlighted the duo’s fight for freedom of expression, essential for democracy and lasting peace.
The committee stressed that this award was not just for Ressa and Muratov, but for all journalists standing up for press freedom in a time when democratic values and media independence are under siege.
Just hours after the announcement, Russia’s Ministry of Justice labeled the Bellingcat investigative organization and several journalists as “foreign agents,” a move that imposed severe restrictions on their operations. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) called the Nobel recognition a powerful reminder of the urgent need to defend press freedom, especially as 24 journalists have already been killed this year, with hundreds imprisoned.
Ressa, 58, who previously served as CNN’s bureau chief in the Philippines, has faced numerous criminal charges for her work, particularly for her reporting on President Duterte’s controversial war on drugs. Muratov has similarly been a steadfast voice for independent journalism in Russia, where media freedom is increasingly under attack.
