The journalist Maria Ressa receives the Nobel Peace Prize this year. She received the decisive call completely unprepared in a video call with other journalists.
She was completely unprepared for the news: Maria Ressa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday. The journalist from the Philippines received the crucial call while she was in a video conference with fellow journalists on the subject of “Independent Press”. All participants could see live how stunned the 58-year-old was.
Shortly before the official announcement, Olav Njølstad, Director of the Nobel Institute in Oslo, contacted Ressa by phone to inform her that she would receive the Nobel Peace Prize this year. According to the Nobel Institute, she is honored for her fight against “the abuse of power and the growing authoritarianism in her home country”. At first, Ressa could hardly believe it: “I’m speechless. I’m currently live with other people.” Still, she had to hold tight until the news was officially announced.
Nobel Peace Prize for Maria Ressa: “I am shocked”
But even until then, Ressa had barely had time to collect herself. She still lacked the words, she had to break off her sentences again and again: “I’m shocked. I don’t cry.” Finally, she was able to say to the other journalists in her video call: “It is an appreciation of how hard it is to be a journalist in these times. How difficult it is to do what we do.”
In 2012, Ressa and colleagues founded the investigative medium “Rappler” in the Philippines. “Rappler” reported fearlessly about the “controversial, murderous anti-drug campaign” of President Rodrigo Duterte, which “amounts to a war against its own people”, the Nobel Prize Committee justified its choice. Only last year, the prominent government critic was sentenced to up to six years in prison for defamation. She appealed and is free on bail.
Russian journalist Dmitri Muratov also honored
Maria Ressa shares the award with the Russian journalist Dmitri Muratow, who is also being honored for his services to freedom of the press and freedom of expression. The editor-in-chief of the Kremlin-critical newspaper “Novaya Gazeta” has been a symbol in Russia for decades of freedom of expression and courageous journalism that exposes corruption, nepotism and other abuses.
Unlike the other Nobel Prizes awarded by Swedish institutions, the Norwegian Nobel Committee decides on the Nobel Peace Prize. The body in Oslo consists of five people appointed by the Norwegian Parliament.
Sources: // AFP / DPA
David William is a talented author who has made a name for himself in the world of writing. He is a professional author who writes on a wide range of topics, from general interest to opinion news. David is currently working as a writer at 24 hours worlds where he brings his unique perspective and in-depth research to his articles, making them both informative and engaging.
