Rappler’s Maria Ressa, the first Filipino woman to receive the most prestigious Nobel Peace Award—but not everyone is happy
Senators hail Maria Ressa’s Nobel Peace Prize award. An outpouring of congratulations to the first Filipina recipient of the prestigious Norweigan prize is indeed something to be proud of. Senators Grace Poe, Richard Gordon, and Francis Pangilinan hailed Ressa’s achievement.
However, some netizens mocked the Rappler editor whose criticism ranged from being a traitor to the country, a far-left liberal, and a tool of Democrat politics in the United States.
Facts not bias
Ressa is perceived as a staunched critic of the Duterte regime, but in truth, she can present facts objectively, without the perception of bias. Perhaps, one of the reasons she was given the award.
BREAKING NEWS:
— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) October 8, 2021
The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize to Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace.#NobelPrize #NobelPeacePrize pic.twitter.com/KHeGG9YOTT
Maria Ressa’s criticism
Ted McDonnell, an award-winning photojournalist, documentary filmmaker, and journalist, openly criticized Ressa in 2019 for her apparent involvement with the CIA, to which he quipped, “not journalism.”
In a now-deleted tweet, McDonnel said, “I’ve worked in the Philippines as a journalist and documentarian for past five years. It’s safer than many places in the USA. Did you ask Ressa why she accepts money by CIA funded NED? Her “facts” are false & what war zones have she been in?” [@TedMcdonnell November 9, 2019]
In the same year, the Court of Appeals (CA) denied the motion for partial reconsideration filed by Rappler and its holding company, Rappler Holdings Corp. (RHC), on the case the media outfit had with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
National Artist for Literature F. Sionil Jose faced backlash after apparent support for Duterte but criticizing Ressa’s prestigious award
Maria Ressa does not deserve the Nobel prize, according to writer and National Artist F. Sionil Jose in a Facebook post. He quipped,” Ask yourself: What heroic sacrifice has Maria Ressa done for freedom and the Philippines, and who is funding her?.
CA affirmed Rappler is not 100% Filipino-owned
In 2017, President Duterte said Rappler is”fully owned” by Americans, suggesting they may influence Philippine politics. In 2018, the SEC revoked its license to operate, although it was not yet final and executory.”
Filipino journalist Maria Ressa was one of two media people who won the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize to protect freedom of the press and freedom of expression.
