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Journalists Awarded Nobel Prize for Challenging Authoritarian Leaders

Journalists Maria Ressa of the Philippines and Dmitry Muratov of Russia were awarded the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday “for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace.”

Ressa and Muratov, the Nobel Committee explained, “are representative of all journalists who stand up for this ideal in a world in which democracy and freedom of the press face increasingly adverse conditions.” (Watch Ressa learn of the honor above).

The BBC explains that the new laureates “are known for hard-hitting investigations that have angered their countries’ rulers, and both have faced significant threats.”

Ressa, just the 18th woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize in its 120 year history and the first Filipino to win any Nobel award, has faced threats for taking on Rodrigo Duterte, the Filipino strongman. The New York Times reports:

The digital media company for investigative journalism that she co-founded, Rappler, has exposed government corruption and researched the financial holdings and potential conflicts of interest of top political figures. It has also done groundbreaking work on the Duterte government’s violent anti-drug campaign.

“We’re going through a dark time, a difficult time, but I think that we hold the line,” Ressa said after winning the award.