OSLO: Investigative journalists Maria Ressa of the Philippines and Dmitry Muratov of Russia won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for their work promoting freedom of expression at a time when liberty of the press is increasingly under threat.

Ressa, also a US citizen, is co-founder of Rappler, a digital media company for investigative journalism. Muratov is a co-founder of Russia’s leading independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta.

The pair were honoured “for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace,” said the chairwoman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Berit Reiss-Andersen.

“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.

Ressa, 58, the only woman to win a Nobel so far this year, said the prize shows that “nothing is possible without facts”, referring to the links between democracy and freedom of expression.

“A world without facts means a world without truth and trust,” the outspoken critic of Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte told a livestreamed interview with Rappler.

Muratov dedicated his half of the prize to his newspaper’s six journalists and contributors killed since 2000, who include the prominent investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya.

“I can’t take credit for this. This is Novaya Gazeta’s,” he was cited by Russian news agency TASS as saying.

The newspaper on Thursday commemorated 15 years since Politkovskaya’s killing.

Ressa and Rappler, which she co-founded in 2012 and heads, have faced multiple criminal charges and investigations after publishing stories critical of Duterte’s policies, including his bloody drug war.

Muratov, 59, has defended freedom of speech in Russia for decades, under increasingly challenging conditions.

Novaya Gazeta, founded in 1993, is one of the few media outlets left voicing criticism of Putin. Muratov has served several times as chief editor since 1995.

Novaya Gazeta’s opponents have responded with harassment, threats, violence and murder.

Tributes pour in The two recipients of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize were congratulated widely, particularly by associations representing journalists. The two were praised both for their bravery and the quality of their work.

In a tweet, the International Press Institute (IPI) said: “What an incredible moment for #PressFreedom and congratulations to #MariaRessa and #DmitryMuratov.”

“We are extremely proud that IPI Executive Board Member @mariaressa has been awarded the #Nobel Peace Prize 2021, together with Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov,” added the group comprising editors, leading journalists and publishers from across the world.

“Such a powerful message in support of brave journalism,” said the World Editors Forum in a tweet. “@mariaressa and @DmitryMuratov deserve all the acknowledgement, respect and protection that goes with the #NobelPeacePrize2021 prize.”

Congratulating the pair, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said: “Dmitry Muratov and Maria Ressa personify the values of press freedom and the reason it matters.”

“These are journalists under personal threat, who continuously defy censorship and repression to report the news, and have led the way for others to do the same,” said CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon.

“This Nobel Peace Prize is a powerful recognition of their tireless work, and that of journalists all around the world. Their struggle is our struggle.”

Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2021