The Nobel Peace Prize in 2021 was awarded jointly to Maria Ressa and Dmitry Andreyevich Muratov for their efforts to protect freedom of speech. It is a prerequisite for democracy and sustainable peace. Maria Ressa, co-founder and CEO of Rappler is the first Filipino to become Nobel Prize laureate.
Ressa appeared before the Philippines’ National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on 22 January 2018, to conform with a subpoena regarding an online libel complaint under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
Authorities arrested her on 13 February 2019, for cyber libel after claims that Rappler published a misleading news article against businessman Wilfredo Keng. On 15 June 2020, a court in Manila convicted her guilty of cyber libel under the Anti-Cybercrime law.
This decision was denounced by human rights organizations and journalists as an assault on press freedom. Because she has been a vocal opponent of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, many in the opposition and the foreign world saw her detention and conviction as a politically motivated move by Duterte’s administration.
As a result of her tireless efforts to protect press freedom and speak out against social injustices, she was named a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. The Secretary-General of the UN, António Guterres, also congratulated two campaigning journalists. The question now is whether this award is something to be proud of as a regular Filipino citizen.
Before we truly answer our questions, we must first know what, how, and to whom the Noble Prize is being awarded
This prize is one of the most prestigious in the world, and it has been given to some of the most well-known and respected worldwide people and organizations throughout history. We need to look back to the 1800s to understand how it all began.
Alfred Nobel, a Swedish chemist, was well recognized at the time for inventing dynamite. An innovation that catapulted him into a successful career as an inventor and entrepreneur. He became immensely rich after 30 years, yet he never married and had no children.
When his will was revealed after his death, it was surprising to see that his riches would be divided among five categories: physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and peace.
These awards demonstrated his lifetime dedication to science and writing, but what about peace? Many people believe Nobel invented the peace award out of sorrow since his name was linked to the technology utilized in the war industry.
This is purely speculation. However, since he never stated such feelings and his innovations were also put to good use. Instead, many historians link Alfred Nobel’s desire for peace to a decade-long acquaintance and communication with Bertha Von Suttner. Von Suttner was a pioneer in the worldwide peace movements, and following Nobel’s death in 1905, she became the first woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
Nobel’s will stated three criteria for the Peace Prize, which would be administered in Norway rather than Sweden, as are the other awards headquartered in Sweden. Disarmament, peace congresses, and brotherhood among nations.
These criteria have been broadened to encompass other means of fostering peace, such as human rights and negotiations, and the prize does not have to be awarded to a single individual.
Approximately one-third of the Noble Peace Prizes have been shared by two or three laureates. The selection process takes roughly a year and is overseen by five members of the Norwegian Noble Committee who are not allowed to hold any formal political positions in Norway.
They start with a big pool of nominations, then evaluate each candidate’s recent work to establish a shortlist. Finally, in October, the Nobel Committee’s chairman formally reveals the winner. On the 10th of December, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death, the prizes will be presented.
The threats on Ressa are driven by Duterte’s outspoken condemnation of her – while pondering that journalists are not immune to killing. His administration has also hired some of the primary individuals who have been targeting Ressa online.
Maria Ressa is a torchbearer for journalistic freedom in a nation ruled by a populist leader. Ressa, who has both Philippine and American citizenship, is accused of violating foreign ownership restrictions and committing securities fraud.
According to Philippine legislation, media organizations must be entirely owned by Filipinos. Rappler has refuted government claims that it is controlled by an organization outside of the Philippines, and press freedom groups believe the charges are intended to scare independent journalists.
According to Human Rights Watch, the court proceeding is unusual and demonstrates the Duterte administration’s resolve to shut down the website for its reliable and persistent reporting on the government.
Having a compatriot get a major prize is certainly something to be proud of. This is true for those who, despite threats, remain steadfastly committed to the truth and justice. One may only be proud of Ressa’s accomplishments if they, like her, stood with truth and justice and were ready to resist oppression in society.
However, if someone does not notice any repression despite all of Ressa’s harassment, it simply shows that they are not engaged in the exercise of democracy.
The freedom of the press underpins every other right that a Filipino person has. Democracy dies in the absence of journalism.
This is notably in reference to democracy in the Philippines. As Maria Ressa said and quote “If you don’t use your rights, you will lose them”.
The writer is a Research Intern Fellow at the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies and The Diplomatic Insight. He is a young student of International Relations from the Philippines.
**The views expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not represent the standpoint of the institutions
