Dear Press Freedom Supporter,

CPJ was deeply thrilled to learn early this morning that Rappler’s Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov of Novaya Gazeta were awarded the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel Committee, in lauding the journalists’ “courageous fight for freedom of expression in the Philippines and Russia,” touted the necessity of freedom of expression as a precondition for democracy and lasting peace.

Left: Dmitry Muratov at CPJ's 2007 International Press Freedom Awards ceremony, after being presented the award by U.S. journalist Katrina vanden Heuvel. Right: Maria Ressa, at right, accepts CPJ's 2018 Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award from CPJ board member Sheila Coronel. (left: CPJ. Right: Getty Images)

Ressa, who faces extreme threats in the Philippines as state-orchestrated attacks escalate against her and Rappler, was honored with CPJ’s Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award in 2018. Muratov, who as editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta, one of the last independent newspapers in Russia, has been a persistent critic of Putin, received CPJ’s International Press Freedom Award in 2007.

“These are journalists under personal threat, who continuously defy censorship and repression to report the news, and have led the way for others to do the same,” said CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon. “Their struggle is our struggle.”

Each year, CPJ honors brave journalists who fight to make their voices heard so that we can access independent, reliable information. Ressa and Muratov are prime examples of these heroes to whom we pay tribute. This year is no different. Click here to learn more about CPJ’s 2021 awardees.

Thank you.

John D. Weis
Director of Development & Outreach