Global Upfront Newspapers
Uncategorized

UN scribe, UNESCO congratulate 2021 Nobel Peace Prize winners, Journalists’ Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov

  • The Rappler CEO and Novaya Gazeta editor were awarded the 2021 prize for their “efforts to safeguard freedom of expression.”

The UN Secretary General, Antonio Gueterres, and UNESCO has congratulated Maria Ressa of the Philippines and Dmitry Muratov of Russia for winning the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize Ressa and Muratov for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which the committee called “a precondition for democracy and lasting peace.”

In a twitter message, the UN scribe said: “Congratulations @mariaressa and Dmitry Muratov on your Nobel Peace Prize. This recognition is a reminder that no society can be free without journalists who can investigate wrongdoing & speak truth to power. Press freedom is vital for peace, justice and human rights.”

UNESCO said: “Congratulations to the winners of the 2021 #NobelPeacePrize, Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov, for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression. There is no democracy without press freedom. There is no #PressFreedom without journalists who speak truth to power.”

Ressa, who worked for two decades as an investigative reporter in the Philippines, was convicted of “cyberlibel” in 2020 for her reporting on government corruption and violence as CEO and co-founded of the news website Rappler, a conviction derided by the international community as a politically-motivated attack on press freedom by the government of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

The longtime editor of Novaya Gazeta, Muratov has resisted government pressure and censorship in a rapidly shrinking media environment in Russia. He has helped to create “the only truly critical newspaper with national influence in Russia today,” according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Founded in 2012, Rappler provides investigative journalism in a country with endemic corruption and violence toward journalists. The committee cited her work for “focus[ing] critical attention on the Duterte regime’s controversial, murderous anti-drug campaign,” despite both legal and physical threats.

Muratov’s backing of the paper’s critical coverage of both Chechen wars was cited by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, as well as what the committee described as his “fact-based” methods of reporting. “Novaya Gazeta’s opponents have responded with harassment, threats, violence and murder,” said the committee. “Since the newspaper’s start, six of its journalists have been killed, including Anna Politkovskaja who wrote revealing articles on the war in Chechnya.”

The Norwegian Nobel Committee – one of five Nobel Committees, which exclusively awards the Nobel Peace Prize – is famously unpredictable. Last year it awarded the World Food Programme the prize, following 2019’s decision to award the prize to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali for his work in brokering peace with Eritrea. In 2020, Abiy ordered the invasion of the Tigray region of the country, killing thousands and displacing hundreds of thousands of civilians to widespread international criticism.  

Neither the Russian nor Philippine government has so far congratulated either winner of this year’s prize.

Advertize With Us

See Also

Nigerian Army, Rivers residents bicker over alleged killings, harassment and arrests

Global Upfront

China allegedly forces birth control on Muslim Uighurs to suppress population

Global Upfront

Nigeria: 10 Killed As Nigerian Navy Special Forces Storms Kidnappers’ Hideout In Anambra State

Global Upfront

Still shoot anyone illegally wielding AK-47s, other assault weapons, Buhari restates to Police, security agents

Global Upfront

Enugu State tops COVID-19 new infections with 51 as Nigeria records 195 new cases, total now 57,437

Global Upfront

Why there’s a mismatch between funding for Nigeria’s military and its performance

Global Upfront

Buhari says FG will fight food inflation in 2021

Global Upfront

Black women’s hair products are killing us. Why isn’t more being done?

Global Upfront

NAF airstrikes destroys Boko Haram terrorists’ hideout, kills “several” at Bone, Mudu and Sambisa Forest, Borno State – Defence Spokesperson

Global Upfront

Military says top Boko Haram/ISWAP Commanders killed in airstrikes in Northeast Nigeria

Global Upfront

This website uses Cookies to improve User experience. We assume this is OK...If not, please opt-out! Accept Read More