Nobel Prize lecture by Maria Ressa Summary and Question Answers

 

Maria Ressa won the Nobel Prize for peace on 10 December 2021 . She spoke as a representative of journalists across the world who risk their lives to tell the truth.

Tribute to Journalists and Human Rights activists 

Ressa began her speech by remembering journalists like Jamal Khashoggi and Daphne Caruana Galizia, who were killed for their work. She also mentioned journalists imprisoned or forced to flee their countries. She thanked global human rights groups and the #HoldTheLine coalition(union) that support press freedom.

In the Philippines, many lawyers, human rights activists, and journalists have been killed or jailed since 2016, including Senator Leila de Lima. The government has also silenced major media houses like ABS-CBN (Corporation is a Filipino media company) .

Creation of Rappler

Maria Ressa co-founded Rappler, a digital news platform, to connect journalism and technology. She described these as two sides of a coin: journalism seeks truth, while technology, misused, spreads lies and hate. The internet has allowed false information to divide people and empower dictators.

Need for Truth and Goodness

Ressa said the greatest need today is to stop hate and violence spread online. She urged people to “believe there is good in the world” and to work for truth and compassion. Despite facing dangers, she has seen humanity’s kindness during disasters and crises, which she believes represents the best in human nature.

Nobel Prize Significance

The last journalist to receive this prize was Carl von Ossietzky in 1936, who died in a Nazi camp. Ressa said this new recognition shows that democracy again faces a critical moment. Many journalists continue to suffer without public support, while technology has worsened their struggles.

Ressa’s Personal Struggles

The Philippine government filed ten arrest warrants against her in less than two years. She was convicted of cyber libel and may face up to 100 years in prison. But the attacks only strengthened her resolve to fight for truth and free journalism.

Her Code of Ethics

Ressa said journalism is guided by a code of honor. She added her personal values — integrity, gratitude (utang na loob), and responsibility. She also warned that gender-based disinformation has become a new threat to women and LGBTQ+ journalists, causing serious mental and physical harm.

The Global Problem

Ressa identified two main forms of impunity(exemption from punishment:)

1. Political impunity — governments using violence and lies without punishment.

2. Technological impunity — social media companies spreading hate and misinformation for profit.

She reminded the world that “online violence is real-world violence.” Social media uses people’s private data for profit, manipulates behaviour, and weakens human freedom and democracy. Lies travel faster than truth, and this has created deep divisions worldwide.

Collapse of Truth and Trust

Ressa warned that when facts disappear, truth and trust collapse. Without trust, societies cannot solve global issues like climate change, pandemics, or political crises. She said the loss of integrity in facts destroys democracy itself.

Examples of Manipulation

She shared examples from the Philippines and other countries:

The Marcos family used social media to rewrite history and promote political power.

Fake accounts and AI-generated images were used to spread propaganda.

This shows how disinformation works both locally and globally to shape elections and public opinion.

Ressa compared the crisis in information to an “invisible atom bomb.” She called for new global institutions and laws — like the United Nations and Universal Declaration of Human Rights after World War II — to protect truth and humanity in the digital age.

Restoring Facts and Journalism

To rebuild democracy, Ressa urged:

Protection for journalists from state attacks.

Financial support for independent journalism through international funds.

Regulation of social media companies that profit from hate and lies.

She co-chairs the International Fund for Public Interest Media to raise global aid for journalism, especially in developing countries.

Role of Technology

Journalists should also learn to use technology ethically. With the help of the Google News Initiative, Rappler built a new platform that promotes facts and communities of action rather than viral misinformation. Technology, if used responsibly, can serve truth and democracy.

Defending Democracy and Values

Ressa said democracy now depends on individuals — each person must defend truth and moral values. The world stands at a “sliding door moment” — one path leads to fascism, the other to freedom. Everyone must decide what they are willing to sacrifice for truth.

Maria Ressa lives under constant threat of imprisonment, but she believes the fight is worth it. She ended her speech with hope — urging everyone to imagine and build a world based on peace, trust, and empathy.

Her final words were a powerful call:

 “Now let’s go and make it happen. Let’s hold the line. Together.”

Answer the following questions in two or three sentences

1. State the reason why Maria Ressa started Rappler.

Maria Ressa started Rappler to connect journalism and technology to seek truth and social welfare. She wanted to use journalism to strengthen democracy by providing truthful information and creating a space for people to speak freely and responsibly.

2. Describe what Maria Ressa identifies as the greatest need of today.

Maria Ressa believes the greatest need today is to protect the truth. Without truth, trust and democracy collapse, and people become victims of lies and manipulation spread through social media.

3. "By giving this to journalists today, the Nobel committee is signalling a similar historical moment." Explain.

Maria Ressa said this to show that journalists receiving the Nobel Peace Prize marks a turning point in history. It signifies that the world recognizes the importance of protecting truth and freedom of expression in an era when lies and hate are rapidly spreading online.

4. Which are the two sides of the coin mentioned by Maria Ressa?

The two sides of the coin are technology and journalism. Technology can connect people and spread truth, but it can also spread lies and hate; journalism must act as the balancing side to protect truth and human rights.

5. Explain why Maria Ressa was arrested.

Maria Ressa was arrested because she exposed corruption and abuse of power in the Philippines through her reports on Rappler. False charges were used against her as an attempt to silence her and weaken independent journalism.

6. Which impunity is addressed by Ressa?

Maria Ressa addressed two kinds of impunity — the political impunity of powerful leaders who commit crimes without punishment, and the impunity of social media platforms that spread lies and hatred without accountability.

Answer the following in a paragraph

1. Online violence is real world violence. Discuss.

Maria Ressa argues that online violence is not limited to the digital world; it has real consequences in people’s lives. Hate speech, fake news and online attacks can destroy reputations, spread fear, and even lead to physical harm. When lies are spread repeatedly online, they shape public opinion and justify real-world violence against individuals or communities. Therefore, online abuse must be treated as seriously as physical violence because both threaten safety, peace, and democracy.

2. Discuss the changes to be adopted by the journalists of the 21st century.

Journalists of the 21st century must adapt to a world dominated by technology and social media. They should learn to identify and fight against fake news and false information, verify facts before publishing, and use digital tools responsibly. Maria Ressa urges journalists to stay courageous, to stand for truth even when it is dangerous, and to rebuild public trust by maintaining transparency, accuracy, and integrity in their reporting.

3. What can be done to support independent journalism survive?

Independent journalism can survive through public support, international cooperation, and legal protection for journalists. Governments must ensure press freedom, and citizens must stand against fake news and value truthful reporting. Funding models such as reader subscriptions, global partnerships and media literacy education can also strengthen independent media and protect it from political or corporate influence.

1. Discuss the ways adopted by social media to manipulate truth.

Social media platforms often manipulate truth by prioritizing engagement over accuracy. Algorithms are designed to show users sensational or emotional content that increases clicks and shares, even if the information is false. It spreads faster than verified facts and divides people through hate and fear. Paid trolls and fake accounts are used to attack truth-tellers and silence critics. Maria Ressa explains that such manipulation weakens democracy because people make decisions based on lies. Therefore, digital platforms must be made accountable for the content they promote and transparent about how their algorithms work. Education in media literacy is also essential so that people can distinguish truth from propaganda.

2. Maria Ressa envisions a world of peace and trust. Examine the ways in which journalists can contribute to realising this vision.

Maria Ressa believes that peace and trust can only exist when truth is protected. Journalists play a key role in achieving this by standing up for facts, exposing corruption, and giving a voice to the voiceless. They must report responsibly, avoid bias, and verify every piece of information before publishing. By rejecting fear and propaganda, journalists can build bridges of understanding and fight hatred. Ressa also urges collaboration among journalists globally to defend press freedom and challenge authoritarian control. Through honest, courageous, and ethical reporting, journalists can help create a world where truth guides society and peace becomes possible.