2021 Nobel Peace Prize: RSF Hails “Extraordinary Tribute” for Journalism

António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, speaks to reporters on Nobel Peace Prize in 2021 on October 8,2021.He congratulated Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov on their Nobel Peace Prize wins in 2021- UN Photo by Evan Schneider

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is very pleased that the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Maria Ressa and Dmitri Muratov, two eminent and courageous journalists. This prize rewards all those who work with determination for free and independent information.

Filipino journalist Maria Ressa, founder of investigative media Rappler, and editor of independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta Dmitri Muratov, were awarded the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize.

“ We extend our warm congratulations to the two laureates who embody the struggle for the independence of journalism ,” said RSF Secretary General Christophe Deloire. This award is an extraordinary tribute to journalism and a call to mobilization because this decade will be quite simply decisive for journalism. It is a powerful message at a time when democracies are weakened by the proliferation of false information and hate speech . ”

In association with the #HoldTheLine coalition, RSF has launched an unprecedented solidarity campaign in favor of Maria Ressa A specially dedicated website ( https://holdthelineformariaressa.com ) brings together hundreds of videos recorded by influential personalities – associated with a call public contribution – broadcast repeatedly until all charges against Maria Ressa and the Rappler news site are dropped.

Maria Ressa is one of the 25 members of the Commission on Information and Democracy created in 2018 by RSF, to establish democratic guarantees in the digital space. The Declaration published by this commission gave rise to a Partnership signed by 43 States. Within the Forum on Information and Democracy, the implementing body of the partnership, Maria Ressa co-chaired the working group on infodemics, which published 250 recommendations in November 2020.