Rappler founder and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa. Ressa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2021 along with Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov, "for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace," according to the Norwegian Nobel Committee. Ressa was convicted of libel in 2020 stemming from a 2012 article published by Rappler, and is facing several other charges, including tax evasion. The OSG contended in its opposition to Ressa's planned travel to Norway that she is a "flight risk" due to her outstanding conviction and other pending cases. As a practical matter, quietly allowing Ressa to go ahead minimizes public attention to her story, or the controversial narrative behind it.

Source: Manila Times November 26, 2021 16:17 UTC