VIENNA, 8 October 2021 — OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro today congratulated prominent journalists Dmitry Muratov and Maria Ressa for winning the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize and expressed her content with the importance the Nobel Committee attaches to freedom of expression and media freedom.

“This year’s Nobel Peace Prize underscores the significance of this essential foundation of democracy and peace,” Ribeiro said. “It also underlines the essential role of independent media and the right of journalists to carry out their work under safe conditions, without fear of reprisals. Those are part of the important commitments we also hold dear in the OSCE region.”

“Over the years, many journalists from Novaya Gazeta, which is tirelessly led by Dmitry Muratov, have faced harassment and intimidation in the Russian Federation, and some of them even paid the ultimate price for doing their professional work,” Ribeiro said. “Despite these grim challenges, the newspaper, a long-standing partner of my Office, continuously serves as an outstanding example of independent, determined, courageous and public interest journalism.”

“Maria Ressa has constantly spoken up for the importance of media freedom, despite repeated attacks and harassment throughout her career,” said Ribeiro. “Her relentless courage and journalistic skills, including by being a leader for other women journalists and media managers, have reminded us all of the importance of qualitative journalism, while also contributing greatly to my Office’s knowledge about online attacks against media. The awarding of this Prize shows the continuous need to improve the safety of female journalists online for the sake of all of us, an issue my Office has been working on for many years.”

“I sincerely congratulate Dmitry Muratov and Maria Ressa and wish both of them success in the persistent promotion of our shared ideals and values of freedom of expression, freedom of the media and freedom of access to information.”