09 October
Nobel Peace Prize win reminds world press freedom is essential
Maria Ressa, Philippine journalist and Co-Founder of Rappler, together with Dmitry Muratov, Russian journalist, have won the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize.
Chairwoman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Berit Reiss-Andersen, said the winners had been honoured “for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace.”
“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,” she said.
Olivia Pirie-Griffiths, AJF Executive Director, said:
“This is hugely deserved. Maria is an outstanding journalist who, in the face of so much, holds the line with integrity, bravery and a commitment to her craft.
“Democracy is under more pressure than arguably ever before. The rise of misinformation, disinformation and governments’ introducing laws to protect people during the pandemic, which end up stifling their freedoms and the ability of journalists to do their jobs…
“This creates a dangerous cocktail which weakens the stability and strength of democracy.
“The Nobel Peace Prize is a — if not the — globally recognised award of its kind, so to recognise journalists, and these two in particular, reinforces global support of press freedom.
“We’re at an inflection point. We need global leaders to recognise the fundamental role of the press for maintaining healthy democracies and peace.”