Maria Ressa, Dmitry Muratov Win Nobel Peace Prize

The 2021 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov. The Norwegian Nobel Committee, which presented the award in Oslo on Friday, said the prize was awarded for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, CNN reported late in the afternoon.

Photo Insert: Ressa and Muratov were given the award "for their courageous fight for freedom of expression in the Philippines and Russia."

Every year the Norwegian Nobel Committee recognizes a person or organization for their outstanding efforts and actions in the promotion of peace.

Reuters said the work of Ressa and Muratov angered the authorities in Russia and the Philippines were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday, honoring the right to free speech which the prize-giving committee described as under threat around the globe.

The New York Times also lauded Ressa and Muratov, editor of Novaya Gazeta, for fighting authoritarianism, graft, and corruption.

Ressa and Muratov were given the award "for their courageous fight for freedom of expression in the Philippines and Russia," Chairwoman Berit Reiss-Andersen of the Norwegian Nobel Committee told a news conference.

"At the same time, they are representatives of all journalists who stand up for this ideal in a world in which democracy and freedom of the press face increasingly adverse conditions," she told Reuters.

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