The Nobel Peace Prize goes to journalists Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov from the Philippines and Russia

The journalists Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov were decorated with the Nobel Peace Prize for his “efforts to safeguard freedom of expression” in the Philippines and Russia.

Ressa and Muratov were awarded “for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a prerequisite for democracy and lasting peace”.said Nobel committee chairman Berit Reiss-Andersen in Oslo.

The jury recognized their “courageous fights”As much in the Philippines as in Russia, but also described them as an example of journalists working under “increasingly unfavorable conditions”.

“Without freedom of speech or of the press, it will be difficult to promote brotherhood among nations, disarmament and a better world order.“He added.

Both represent two specially designated media in their respective countries, since Ressa participated in the foundation of the portal in 2012 Rapper, critical of the government of Rodrigo Duterte and with actions such as its “war on drugs” investigated by the prosecutor’s office of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“The death toll (in these police operations) is so high that the campaign looks like a war against the country’s own people“, noted the jury in its conclusions, in which it described Ressa as”a tireless defender of freedom of expression”. Not in vain, there are several open cases against both her and her environment.

Muratov, for its part, launched in 1993 Novaya Gazeta, an independent newspaper which throughout its history has lost six of its journalists, assassinated. One of these victims was Anna Politkovskaya, whose death was precisely 15 years old this Thursday.

Novaya Gazeta It is “the most independent newspaper in Russia“”, “with a critical attitude with power“, As recognized by the jury, who praised the”professional integrity“Of his writing and his ability to echo stories that would not be published otherwise, for example linked to cases of corruption, police violence or electoral fraud.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee stressed that “free, independent and factual journalism serves as protection against abuse of power, lies and propaganda”, Something he wanted to recognize in the figures of Ressa and Muratov.

The Kremlin’s reaction

The Kremlin greeted the “Courage” and “talent” of the Russian journalist, Nobel Peace Prize winner for his fight for freedom of expression at the head of the main Russian opposition newspaper.

“We congratulate Dmitry Muratov. He works incessantly by following his ideals, by keeping them. He has talent and courageThe spokesperson for the Russian presidency told reporters, Dmitry Peskov.

The Nobel, in data

For this year’s edition, a total of 329 applications -234 individuals and 95 organizations-, the third highest number in history.

This year’s Nobel Peace Prize makes the number 102 in the history of these awards, who recognized a total of 135 people and organizations. Ressa and Muratov take the witness of the World Food Program (PAM) of the UN, which received it in 2020.

Each prize is endowed 10 million Swedish kronor (approximately 984,000 euros) And, as was the case in last year’s edition, by 2021, organizers plan to minimize face-to-face ceremonies in December due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Nobel Peace Prize is the only one of six prizes awarded and awarded outside Sweden, in Oslo, of the express will of Alfred NobeHim, since in his time Norway was part of the Swedish kingdom.

This award is the fifth of those announced to date, after the Medicine, Chemistry, Physics and Literature awards, and before the Economics award to be held next Monday.

(With information from Europa Press, EFE and AFP)

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