Two very brave journalists were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their ‘efforts to safeguard freedom of expression’ in their native Philippines and Russia.
Crusading journalists Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov ‘held power to account’ said the Nobel committee in awarding the Peace Prize.
“Free, independent and fact-based journalism serves to protect against abuse of power, lies and war propaganda,” added Berit Reiss-Andersen, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee.
Maria Ressa, the co-founder of the digital news site Rappler, and Dmitry Muratov, the longtime editor of Novaya Gazeta, a Russian independent newspaper, have fought the good fight as other journalists at their respective papers have been targeted and in some cases, killed.