CAGAYAN de Oro Press Club (COPC) on Saturday hailed the first Filipina recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize award.
The COPC was even proud to honor Maria Ressa, the online news site Rappler chief executive officer, for winning the award on Friday, Oct. 8.
“Maria Ressa’s unerring fight for freedom of expression is an example for many journalists,” COPC chair Dr. Manuel Jaudian said.
Jaudian said her (Maria Ressa) case is symbolic of global trends that represent a real threat to press freedom, and to democracy.
“The oldest press club in the country congratulates fellow journalist Maria Ressa, for winning the prestigious award,” said Jaudian.
He said that this much-coveted 2021 Nobel Peace Prize, was first in Philippine history.
Maria Ressa has been involved in many international initiatives to promote press freedom, and arrested several times “for alleged crimes related to the exercise of her profession.
“We stand proud with Ressa in holding the line and advancing freedom of expression,” Dr. Jaudian said.
Along with Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov, Ressa is celebrated by the prestigious award "for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace.
The role of the fourth estate in the fight against state repression has certainly come a long way, said Jaudian.
Now, a Filipino stands among the ranks of international peace and human rights advocates like Nelson Mandela and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Convicted in June 2020, on trumped-up charges of cyber libel in the country, Ressa, has been the target of repeated efforts by the government to silence her. (Ben Balce)
