BUSINESS and sectoral groups, along with leaders in the Philippines and abroad, are celebrating the Nobel Peace Prize conferred on journalist Maria Ressa, whose celebrated run-ins with the Duterte administration have marked the country’s struggles with keeping democracy and human rights alive the past several years.
The Nobel organizers in Oslo on Friday announced the Nobel Peace Prize for Ressa, who shares the honor with Russian journalist Dymitri Muratov, whose media outlet has faced persecution – even deaths of some of its people — as it tangled with Vladmir Putin’s government.
In a statement on Saturday, the Makati Business Club (MBC) said: “We congratulate Maria Ressa for winning the Nobel Peace Prize. While the award recognizes her courage, it also highlights the conditions that require such courage.
“Freedom of expression is under siege in the Philippines and the world from people with the power and resources to attack legitimate journalism, abuse the internet, and scare citizens into silence. Freedom of expression, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of information, facts and truth, are not only our individual rights, they are the bedrock of democracy and a society that provides peace, opportunity, and better lives for all people.”
The MBC extended “our gratitude, as well, to all journalists and citizens who fight for these rights.”
The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) said in a statement: “Her award underscores the importance of protecting freedom of the press as our vanguard against the abuse of power, and an essential element of democracy.”
It was signed by MAP president Aurelio Montinola III and Riza Mantaring, co-chair of the MAP National Issues Committee.
The Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (Finex), for its part, noted that Ressa was Person of the Year by TIME Magazine in 2018 and was given the UNESCO World Press Freedom Prize in 2021. “This award is an affirmation of her lifelong commitment to safeguarding freedom of expression and freedom of the press,” Finex said, adding, “These are crucial to a functioning democracy, without which we are subject to disinformation and outright abuse of power.” It was signed by Finex president Francis Ed. Lim.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) celebrated Ressa’s award as well.
“We hope this award will shine more light on those who put the spotlight on the truth at a time when basic freedoms and democracy are under attack,” the NUJP statement said.
“The prize is not only a recognition of their work but of the importance of freedom of the press and of expression in their countries and throughout the world,” NUJP added.
Ressa, CEO of online media outlet Rappler, is the first Filipino to receive the award and the first woman to be awarded a Nobel Prize this year.
Vice President Leni Robredo said on Twitter: “This is a recognition and affirmation of your tireless efforts to hold the line for truth and accountability. I applaud your courage. Mabuhay ka!”
Another congratulatory message came from Sen. Richard J. Gordon, Blue Ribbon chairman whose running, heated word war with President Duterte for his dogged pursuit of the pandemic fund misuse involving Pharmally Corp. has hogged headlines for weeks. “We are with you in standing up for press freedom against tyrants and evildoers,” Gordon said in a tweet addressing Ressa.
In the view of detained Sen. Leila de Lima, “Maria Ressa, by her defense of the truth in journalism, has avenged the persecution and bullying of journalists, from individual beat reporters all the way to the large collective of ABS-CBN employees who were driven out of their jobs and livelihoods out of petty reprisal by those who are offended by the truth, and the minions who lick their shoes.”
Sen. Grace Poe, for her part, said: “Maria Ressa has shown us what it takes to uphold press freedom. It requires courage and constancy, especially because the pursuit of truth and justice can often be dangerous.
“We hope Maria’s tenacity and passion in her mission will inspire the Filipino people, especially amid the health crisis and as we close in on another political crossroad with the national elections next year.”
Sen. Panfilo Lacson, meanwhile, said that “more than the prestige that comes with the award is the responsibility of continuing to uphold the freedom of expression – the reason for the award.”
Lacson hoped “that the Nobel Peace Prize will further inspire the responsible practice of journalism for the good of all.”
Former US Secretary of the State Hillary Clinton was among the foreign leaders who joined the collective toast to Ressa and the work of journalists.
Ressa, a Filipino-American, was earlier convicted in a cyber libel case filed by a businessman and sentenced to up to 6 years in jail. Her appeal is pending.
The Duterte government has said it had nothing to do with any of the cases faced by Ressa and Rappler, including one filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for Rappler’s alleged regulatory lapses.
Image credits: Roy Domingo