Maria Ressa

A figure of extraordinary courage, Maria Ressa remains the only Filipino to have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (2021), a monumental achievement shared with Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov for their fearless defence of free expression—a fundamental pillar of democracy. Her other prestigious honours include the 2022 Albie Award for championing justice and the 2021 Unesco/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize. The journalist, named one of Time Magazine’s Persons of the Year (2018) and a Professor of Professional Practice at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, continues her relentless fight for truth against daunting odds.

Despite the respect and accolades earned overseas, the Filipino-American journalist remains a controversial but celebrated figure at home. Rappler’s hard-hitting reportage, which was the subject of the 2020 documentary A Thousand Cuts, has often placed Ressa under fire. However, 2025 delivered pivotal legal victories for the staunch advocate, marking a significant turn in her tribulations. Following her 2023 acquittal on tax fraud charges, Ressa and her Rappler colleagues were further acquitted of violating the Anti-Dummy Law in June 2025, significantly dismantling the targeted legal harassment against the news organisation.

Beyond the courtroom, Ressa has solidified her role as a preeminent global advocate. She has become a leading voice for information integrity and the urgent regulation of Artificial Intelligence (AI), launching a “Global Call for AI Red Lines” at the UN General Assembly’s 80th anniversary in September 2025 to compel international boundaries against unacceptable AI risks. Honoured with the prestigious Missouri Honor Medal for distinguished service in journalism and the 2025 Rotary Peace Laureate Award, Ressa’s bestselling memoir, How to Stand Up to a Dictator, continues to serve as a call-to-arms for all those committed to democratic causes.