The role of journalism has become clear again. Keeping its flame burning is a challenge for journalists in this country who are also lovers of democracy and peace. It may not be extinguished.
By
KOMPAS EDITOR
·3 minutes read
(PHOTO BY ISAAC LAWRENCE AND YURI KADOBNOV / AFP)
This file combination of pictures created on October 08, 2021, shows Maria Ressa (L), co-founder and CEO of the Philippines-based news website Rappler, speaking at the Human Rights Press Awards at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Hong Kong on on May 16, 2019 and Dmitry Muratov, editor-in-Chief of Russia\'s main opposition newspaper Novaya Gazeta gestures as he speaks during a news conference in Moscow, on December 11, 2012. - The Nobel Peace Prize goes to journalists Maria Ressa (Philippines) and Russian Dmitry Muratov, the Nobel Peace Prize committee announced on October 8, 2021 in Oslo.
The 2021 Nobel Peace Prize, jointly awarded to journalists Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov, is a torch for the world’s press, including Indonesia’s.
The public has been reminded about the importance of journalism in safeguarding democracy and realizing a more peaceful world. The press, which has grown dim because of the flood of information available today, has been illuminated.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2021 to Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov as representative of all journalists who tirelessly upheld “freedom of expression as a precondition for democracy and lasting peace”.
Amidst the declining public trust in the media, Norwegian Nobel Committee chair Berit Reiss-Andersen emphasized in a special interview that the two awardees were journalists who carried out their professional journalistic duties with quality standards that were high and bold, thereby inspiring journalists and media organizations.
Maria Ressa of the Philippines has been a journalist for 30 years. In 2011, she cofounded Rappler, a digital media company for investigative journalism. She has actively criticized the controversial anti-drug campaign of the regime of President Rodrigo Duterte that has led to tens of thousands of deaths, exposing its abuse of power, use of violence, and authoritarianism.
Kompas
(FILES) In this file photo taken on December 11, 2012 Dmitry Muratov, Editor-in-Chief of Russia\'s main opposition newspaper Novaya Gazeta gestures as he speaks during a news conference devoted to slain journalist Anna Politkovskaya in Moscow. - The Nobel Peace Prize goes to to journalists Maria Ressa (Philippines) and Russian Dmitry Muratov, the Nobel Peace Prize committee announced on October 8, 2021 in Oslo.
Dmitry Muratov is a cofounder and editor-in-chief of Russian independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta. The newspaper, considered to be the most independent in Russia, has strongly criticized the regime of President Vladimir Putin. It has published tens of thousands of articles on corruption as well as police violence, unlawful arrest, election fraud and producing internet trolls that marginalize certain parties. Six journalists have been killed, but this has not made Muratov quit defending the right of journalists to write whatever they want, as long as they adhere to professional and ethical journalism standards.
Press freedom in Indonesia is categorized as “fairly free”. Indonesia scored 76.02 on the 2021 World Press Independence Index, a slight increase of 0.75 points compared to 2020. However, the country’s decline in the 2020 Democracy Index, as well as the many cases of violence against media workers, needs attention from the government.
The 2021 Nobel Peace Prize, besides encouraging the press in Indonesia, offers a moment to reflect on how far the media has progressed. Press freedom is categorized as “strong” in the Philippines, with its tradition of investigation and enforcement of the journalism code of ethics. Rappler\'s editorial standards and guidelines, for example, emphasizes that “Journalism and ethics go hand in hand because credibility makes journalists effective in what they do: truth-telling.” Facts are also checked in detail according to procedure. Moderation involves the public to ensure that all content meet its ethical standards and values. There are no obscenities, hate, or personal attacks.
The role of journalism has become clear again. Keeping its flame burning is a challenge for journalists in this country who are also lovers of democracy and peace. It may not be extinguished.
