The United Nations (UN) office in the Philippines and several business groups congratulated Maria Ressa for winning the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize.
The Nobel Committee awarded the prize to Ressa, together with Russian journalist Dmitri Muratov for “their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace.”
The UN said it recognizes the role of free and independent media as a cornerstone of democracy. Freedom of expression is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a fundamental right, and it is also an enabler of all other rights,” it said.
The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), the Financial Executives Institute of the
Philippines (FINEX), and the Makati Business Club (MBC) in separate statements meanwhile also congratulated Ressa for her historic win.
The MAP said Ressa’s award “underscores the importance of protecting freedom of the press as our vanguard against the abuse of power, and an essential element of democracy.
The MAP said in a world where “alternative facts” have become a common expression, “her courage in shining a beacon of light on the truth at all times will serve as an inspiration to journalists all over the world who struggle to overcome the increasing suppression of media.
The MBC cited Ressa’s courage while the FINEX said the award affirmed Ressa’s fight for “freedom of expression.”
Ressa is the co-founder and CEO of Rappler.com, a staunch critic of the Duterte administration.