At today’s Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize lashed at US tech companies and said that they were fueling a toxic social media sludge.
Philippine journalist Maria Ressa, the co-founder of news website Rappler, which runs articles highly critical of president Rodrigo Duterte, used her speech to blast Silicon Valley for ‘triggering the worst in us’.
Big tech, she said, “has allowed a virus to infect each one of us, pitting we against each other and bringing out our fears and angers. It also sets the stage for dictatorships and authoritarians all around the globe.”
Philippine journalist Maria Ressa launched a vitriolic attack on US tech giants as she received her Nobel Peace Prize today
She added: ‘Our greatest need today is to transform that hate and violence, the toxic sludge that’s coursing through our information ecosystem, prioritised by American internet companies that make more money by spreading that hate and triggering the worst in us.
“What’s happening on social media does not stay there.” Online violence is also real violence.
Ressa, the first person from the Philippines to win the coveted prize, shared the award with Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov, the editor-in-chief of the independent Novaya Gazeta, for their separate fights for freedom of expression.
She said facts and truth were at the heart of solving the biggest challenges facing society today.
“Facts are the only way to have truth. You can’t trust without truth. We can’t have trust without shared reality, democracy and we won’t be able to address the existential issues facing our planet: climate, coronavirus, truth-seeking, etc.
She shared the award with Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov (pictued), the editor-in-chief of the independent Novaya Gazeta
Ressa has been the target of seven lawsuits filed in her country. She claims that these cases could land her in prison for up to 100 years.
While she is on parole, and waiting for an appeal, after her defamation conviction last year, the woman had to request permission from four courts to travel to collect her Nobel prize in person.
In his speech, Muratov called for a minute of silence during the ceremony to honour journalists killed in the line of duty.
Muratov added, “Let us stand and honor Maria Ressa’s journalist colleagues who have sacrificed their lives to this profession. Let us also give our support and solidarity to those suffering persecution.”
“Yes, we bite and growl.” Muratov confirmed that journalists have strong grips and sharp teeth. But we are essential for the advancement of mankind. We are the antidote for tyranny.
Ressa was the co-founder and editor of Rappler news site, where you will find articles that are highly critical of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Muratov’s speech was also used to make a warning about the possibility of war between Russia-Ukraine. The Kremlin denies that a massive Russian troop buildup has caused Western diplomats to attempt to stop an invasion.
“A war between Russia (and) Ukraine is possible in the heads of crazy geopoliticians.” Muratov stated that wars can be ended by exchanging prisoners and identifying soldiers.
Together with the medals with the effigy of the prizes founder Alfred Nobel and diploma, came 10 million kronor (£840,000) to be shared between them.
The anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death, December 10, is marked by ceremonies in Oslo and Stockholm honoring the Nobel laureates.
Due to the pandemic the awards for physics, chemistry and medicine were given during ceremonies held in the hometowns of the laureates.