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October 9, 2021
National Press Club (NPC) Press Freedom Award Winner Maria Ressa Wins Nobel Peace Prize
Photo: Maria Ressa. The Nobel Peace Prize 2021. Image provided by & Credit: Ill. Niklas Elmehed © Nobel Prize Outreach.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 8, 2021 — Lisa Nicole Matthews, President of the National Press Club, and Angela Greiling Keane, President of the National Press Club Journalism Institute, have issued the following statement on the Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa. She, along with Dmitry Muratov, has won this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.
“We were so pleased to hear the news this morning that the Nobel Committee has named Maria Ressa to represent all journalists as the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. Maria has been an inspiration to the world as she fought for the truth and her rights and, in fact, the rights of free people everywhere as the leader of Rappler. We know she has a smile on her face this morning because she is almost always smiling. We do too. The Nobel Committee could not have picked a better person to represent journalists.
“Maria was the National Press Club’s 2020 John Aubuchon Honoree, an award that traditionally includes in-person receipt of the prize and a speech by the honoree. But Maria, who faced nine bogus charges from the Philippine government, was denied the right to travel. She repeatedly requested letters from us asking the government to release her, and repeatedly those requests were denied. So Maria was a prisoner in her borders even during a global champion of freedom of the press. Eventually, Maria did speak to us last year in a recorded message. It was an inspiring and electric moment.
“Hearing from Maria is a tonic for journalists. She reminds us of all that is best in our profession. Her drive for truth and her passion and determination are impressive to witness. In addition, her voice reminds us of our role in democracy and our place in the world. This award could not come at a better time as a free press is being attacked across the planet.
“We have two wishes for Maria this morning. First, that her country will now remove the threat of prison from her by dropping the cases against her, letting her focus on her world. Second, that she might now be allowed to travel without restrictions and join us at the National Press Club to receive her award and to flash her famous smile and her peace sign.”
Earlier this year, during a National Press Club virtual address on World Press Freedom Day, Ressa spoke about her fight for press freedom in the Philippines and worldwide.
Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the World’s Leading Professional Organization for Journalists™. Located three blocks from the White House, the Club represents more than 3,000 reporters, editors, and communicators worldwide.
The National Press Club Journalism Institute, the Club’s non-profit affiliate, promotes and engages global citizenry through an independent and free press and equips journalists with the skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire civic engagement.
Source: The National Press Club, Washington, DC
|GlobalGiants.Com|
— The editor is a member of the National Press Club.
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 2:06 AM | Link to this Post
