Nobel Peace Prize 2021: Journalists Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov win for freedom of expression fight

The Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to journalists Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression.

Ms Ressa is the CEO of Rappler, a news outlet critical of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s regime, while Muratov heads the independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta.

“Free, independent and fact-based journalism serves to protect against abuse of power, lies and war propaganda,” Berit Reiss-Andersen, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee said as she announced the news from Oslo.

Ms Anderson said the committee’s choice “is intended to underscore the importance of protecting and defending these fundamental rights.”