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March 16, 2025 – Philippines –
On March 11, 2025, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa was honored with the 2025 Rotary Peace Laureate Award by the Rotary Club of Makati San Lorenzo in the Philippines. The award recognizes her unwavering commitment to press freedom, truth, and social justice amid ongoing challenges to journalism in the country.
Ressa, co-founder and CEO of the digital news platform Rappler, has been a prominent figure in advocating for media independence and transparency. Her work has often placed her at odds with governmental authorities, leading to multiple legal challenges and arrests under the previous administration. Despite these obstacles, Ressa has continued to champion the role of a free press in upholding democratic values.
The Rotary Peace Laureate Award is bestowed upon individuals who exemplify Rotary’s commitment to world peace and understanding. Ressa joins a distinguished list of past recipients, including former Philippine presidents Corazon Aquino and Fidel Ramos, as well as other notable figures who have contributed significantly to peace and human rights.
In her acceptance speech, Ressa emphasized the importance of truth in fostering peace and the critical role journalists play in holding power to account. She called upon fellow media practitioners to persist in their efforts to inform the public, despite the increasing threats and challenges faced by the press globally.
This recognition adds to Ressa’s list of accolades, including the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize, which she received alongside Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression. Her continued advocacy underscores the essential function of a free and independent press in maintaining democratic societies.
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