The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize to Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov.

The two have been recognized for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression.

This is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace.

Maria Angelita Ressa is a Filipino-American journalist and author, the co-founder and CEO of Rappler, and the first Filipino Nobel laureate.

She was once convicted of cyberlibel under the controversial Philippine Anti-Cybercrime law, a move condemned by human rights groups and journalists as an attack on press freedom.

Maria is also one of the 25 leading figures on the Information and Democracy Commission launched by Reporters Without Borders

Awarded jointly with Maria is Dmitry Andreyevich Muratov.

Muratov is a Russian journalist, editor-in-chief of a Russian newspaper that is known for its thorough reporting on sensitive topics such as governmental corruption and human rights violations