Nobel Prize lecture: Maria Ressa, Nobel Peace Prize 2021

Transcript

I call upon Maria ressa to deliver her Noble lecture for 2021 please take the [Applause] stage thank you your majesties your Royal highnesses distinguished members of the Norwegian Nobel committee your excellencies distinguished guests ladies and gentlemen I stand before you a representative of every journalist around the world who is forced to sac... Read More

Summary

Maria Ressa, a journalist and co-founder of Rappler, delivers a powerful speech about the challenges faced by journalists worldwide and the need to prioritize truth and accountability in the information ecosystem. She highlights the risks and sacrifices journalists make to hold power accountable and emphasizes the role of technology companies in perpetuating hate and division. Ressa calls for a collective effort to rebuild journalism, protect journalists, regulate social media platforms, and restore trust in facts.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the message Maria Ressa wants to convey in her speech?

Maria Ressa wants to highlight the sacrifices made by journalists and the importance of holding power accountable. She emphasizes the role of technology companies in spreading hate and division and advocates for the prioritization of truth and accountability in the information ecosystem.

Q: Can you provide examples of journalists who have been targeted for their work?

Maria Ressa mentions several journalists who have faced persecution, including Jamal Khashoggi, Daphne Caruana Galicia, Luce Meli Reyes, Roman Protozovich, Jimmy Lai, and Jess Malabanan. She also mentions the high number of lawyers and human rights defenders who have been killed in the Philippines under President Rodrigo Duterte's administration.

Q: How has technology contributed to the spread of lies and division?

According to Maria Ressa, technology companies, particularly social media platforms, have allowed the dissemination of false information and manipulation of public opinion. She argues that their algorithms, driven by profit, prioritize spreading hate and triggering strong emotions, leading to the rise of authoritarians and dictators around the world.

Q: What is the impact of this misinformation on society?

The impact of misinformation is profound, as it divides people, fuels anger and hatred, and undermines trust in shared realities. It hampers efforts to tackle important global challenges such as climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. Maria Ressa also highlights the specific threat this poses to women journalists and LGBTQ+ individuals, who are subjected to increased risks and disinformation campaigns.

Q: How can we address the challenges facing journalism and the information ecosystem?

Maria Ressa suggests the need for a multilateral approach to restore facts and prioritize journalism. She calls for regulations to outlaw the surveillance economics that profit from hate and lies. Additionally, she proposes helping independent journalism survive by providing greater protection to journalists and increasing funding through initiatives like the International Fund for Public Interest Media. She also mentions the importance of journalists embracing technology and platforms built on facts, truth, and trust.

Q: What legislative changes are needed to combat misinformation?

Maria Ressa highlights the need for legislative changes to hold social media platforms accountable. She specifically mentions the EU's democracy action plan and suggests reforming or revoking Section 230, a law in the United States that treats social media platforms like utilities. She argues that these platforms have significant influence over the distribution of information and that their algorithms are biased and profit-driven.

Q: How can individuals contribute to creating a better world?

Maria Ressa calls on individuals to examine their own values and ask themselves what they are willing to sacrifice for the truth. She encourages people to imagine the world as it should be—a world of peace, trust, and empathy—and take action to make it a reality. She concludes with the plea to "hold the line together" and work towards a more compassionate, equal, and sustainable world.

Takeaways

Maria Ressa's speech highlights the challenges faced by journalists and the dangers posed by misinformation in the digital age. It emphasizes the need to prioritize truth, accountability, and regulation of technology companies. Ressa calls for a collective effort to protect journalists, rebuild journalism for the 21st century, and restore trust in facts and shared realities. By taking action and holding the line together, we can create a better world built on peace, trust, and empathy.