Maria Ressa dedicated her Nobel Peace Prize to “all the journalists of the world”

Filipino journalist Maria Ressa said on Saturday that her Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to “all journalists in the world”. and urged to continue fighting for press freedom.

“It’s really for all journalists around the world”Ressa said, in statements to the news agency AFP. The seasoned journalist is one of most critical voices of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

“We need help on many fronts. It is much more difficult and dangerous to be a journalist today“, He assured.

Ressa, co-founder of the online media Rapper, and the Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov, editor of the newspaper Novaya Gazeta, received the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for their efforts to “safeguard freedom of expression”.

Ressa’s recognition was seen as a “Triumph” by humanitarian organizations and the media in a country considered one of the most dangerous in the world for practicing journalism.

Likewise, the former director of the Washington post Marty baron said Friday to the American Business Forum which takes place in Punta del Este (Uruguay) which The Nobel Peace Prize for Ressa and Muratov is an “honor” for journalism and recognizes “the courage and the need for an independent press to guarantee democracy”.

Maria Ressa, 58, a former CNN reporter, has been subjected in recent years to various investigations, legal proceedings and suffered intense cyberbullying, especially since Duterte came to power in 2016.

Rappler has published articles criticizing the head of state, including his bloody and controversial fight against drug trafficking.

The Philippine President called Rappler a “False means of communication”.

Ressa is convinced that the prize will be a a kind of protective shield for her and other Filipino journalists, who experience physical attacks and cyberbullying.

“This ‘us against them’ was not created by journalists, it was created by people in power, who are committed to way of governing that divides societyHe said, describing the award as “a shot of adrenaline. “

“I hope this will allow journalists to do their job well, without fear”added.

United States congratulated María Ressa on her Nobel Peace Prize

U.S. Embassy in the Philippines congratulated María Ressa on her Nobel Peace Prize on Saturday, the first Filipino to do so.

“We congratulate Maria Ressa on having received the Nobel Peace Prize, recognize their work to safeguard freedom of expression“, The embassy said on its Twitter account.

Friday, the President of the United States, Joe Biden, also celebrated the award given to Ressa and Muratov.

“Like so many other journalists around the world, Ressa and Muratov searched for the facts, tirelessly and fearlessly. They worked to fight against abuse of power, denounce corruption and call for transparency“, declared the American president.

Biden applauded the “Tenacity” of the two reporters during the creation of independent media defend the freedom of the press, essential to democracy.

“They faced constant threats, harassment and intimidation, legal action and even, in Murátov’s case, the death of his colleagues.”added the President of the United States.

(With information from AFP and EFE)

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