Philippine And Russian Journalists, Maria Reesa And Dmitry Muratov, Wins Nobel Peace Prize

The pair won the award for efforts towards defending freedom of expression.

High profile journalists Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov have been named the winners of the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts towards defending freedom of expressions in their countries, Philippines and Russia. The pair was described by the Nobel committee as “representatives of all journalists who stand up for this ideal.’’

Out of 329 candidates, Ressa and Muratoy emerged winners for the prize worth 10m Swedish krona (£836,000; $1.1m). The announcement at the Norwegian Nobel Institute, Oslo saw Reesa who co-founded the Rappler news site praised for using freedom of expression in her fight against “abuse of power, use of violence and growing authoritarianism in her native country, the Philippines.’’

Reacting to the win, Ms Ressa in a live broadcast aired on Rappler expressed “shock’’ and went on to state that her win is proof that “nothing is possible without facts… a world without facts means a world without truth and trust.’’

Rappler in a statement expressed honour and astonishment in the new height attained by its chief executive, noting that it “could not have come at a better time – a time when journalists and the truth are being attacked and undermined.’’

The joint winner Mr Muratov was hailed by the Nobel committee as an individual who has devoted his life to defending freedom of speech in Russia for decades despite the challenging conditions. Muratoy who co-founded and is an editor of independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta told popular Telegram channel Podyom during an interview: “I’m laughing. I didn’t expect this at all. It’s madness here.’’ He went further to call the award a “retribution for Russian journalism which is being repressed now.’’

In a congratulatory message, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov hailed Muratov and said “he persistently works in accordance with his own ideals, he is devoted to them, he is talented, he is brave.’’

In a statement, the Nobel committee said the Nobel Peace Prize is aimed at honouring individuals or organizations that has “done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations. Free, independent and fact-based journalism serves to protect against abuse of power, lies and war propaganda. Without freedom of expression and freedom of the press, it will be difficult to successfully promote fraternity between nations, disarmament and a better world order to succeed in our time.’’

Source

BBC

Featured Image Source: AP