Veteran journalist Maria Ressa’s nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize for 2021 has drawn reactions from netizens.
According to Rappler, she was nominated by Norwegian politician and opposition Labour Party leader Jonas Gahr Støre who believes that Ressa is “both a symbol and a representative of thousands of journalists around the world”.
Støre also nominated Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists, which are non-governmental organizations that promote press freedom and journalists’ rights.
“A Nobel Peace Prize for these organizations will be a recognition of the work they do, and it will recognize the thousands of journalists who report on conflicts,” Støre said.
Ressa is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Rappler, a Philippine online news website.
She has been in the news herself as she faces cyber libel charges allegedly because she is a keen critic of the Duterte administration.
Despite these, Ressa pledged to continue delivering the truth to the public.
Before creating Rappler, she used to work as the lead investigative reporter of CNN. She then headed the ABS-CBN news division until 2010.
Her nomination for Nobel Peace Prize was celebrated by netizens and supporters.
https://twitter.com/rubyibarra/status/1356801535993290753?s=20
https://twitter.com/sillymackyeah/status/1356847789485957120?s=20
https://twitter.com/jcpunongbayan/status/1356585483229302788?s=20
https://twitter.com/enpretchel/status/1356809016563830784?s=20
Wow @mariaressa truly deserving of the nomination. It’s an honor. Congrats. https://t.co/4SD5qwu5L9
— Noemi L. Dado (@momblogger) February 2, 2021
Congrats @mariaressa proud of you! pic.twitter.com/TYztNkwpEr
— Aurora Pijuan (@aupijuan) February 3, 2021
However, there are still some who disagree with this global recognition of Ressa.
One netizen believes that she does not deserve to be in that category. Some even plan to raise a petition to allegedly show the real sentiment of the Filipinos against Ressa.
Can we also do this to Maria Ressa? Just to let those guys thinking of awarding her the Nobel prize know the real sentiment of Filipinos towards her and that she does not even deserve to be considered in that category.
— MabuhayPilipinas! TV (@MabuhayPilipin7) February 3, 2021
Don't bastardise the Nobel Prize!
Nobel Prize nomination of Maria Ressa of Rappler repeatedly exposed for fake news, fudging data, flagrantly violating PH laws shows Norwegian labor leader Jonas Gahr Store has either fallen victim to or complicit of her fake #PressFreedom. pic.twitter.com/hsHtw3Q5Ma— Austin Ong (@AustinOng1) February 3, 2021
Another one pointed out that Donald Trump was also nominated for Nobel Peace Prize, questioning Ressa’s nomination.
https://twitter.com/theD0Y/status/1356964376071168001?s=20
The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the six Nobel prizes given yearly to personalities who contributed “the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.”
Every January, nominees are recognized and by October, winners are announced.
Nobel prize was founded in 1895 in accordance with the will of Swedish chemist-engineer-businessman-philanthropist Alfred Nobel.
All Nobel prize laureates receive a diploma, Alfred Nobel medal, and a cash prize.
Last 2020, laureates received 10 million SEK (PHP54.9 million).
The awarding ceremony is conducted in Oslo, Norway every December 10, which marks the death anniversary of the founder.
