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Disinformation threatens security and democracy, Nobel Peace Prize-winning journalists told Al Jazeera in an exclusive interview.
Maria Ressa of the Philippines said the biggest problem in democracy was “when lies are known”, while Russia’s Dmitry Muratov said that people are now in the “post-truth era”.
Norway Nobel Committee gave the reward to the two journalists at a ceremony in Oslo, Norway on Friday “for their efforts to protect free speech, which is essential for democracy and lasting peace”.
Journalists and their groups have been subjected to harassment and harassment in their home countries because of their journalism.
In 2012 Ressa, 58, launched Rappler, a Philippine anti-government research journal.
In 1993 Muratov, 59, was one of the founders of the Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta, one of the few publications that did not follow the Kremlin line.
The last Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to a journalist in 1935 when it was presented in Germany. Carl von Ossietzky, who warned the world that Hitler was rebuilding.
Von Ossietzky was unable to travel to Norway to claim his prize because he was imprisoned in a Nazi prison.
Ressa told Al Jazeera in an interview with Norway after the ceremony that he saw similarities between then and now as the dictatorship grew stronger.
“I think that is the signal that the Nobel committee is sending. We have another moment in common – history, that exists – and we need to take action,” Ressa said.
He also said that the greatest threat to democracy is “when lies are true. Because this violates what we share and allows people to confuse it, “Ressa said.
Muratov also told Al Jazeera that disinformation is dangerous and growing.
He states: “Conflict creates wars. “We are in the middle of the post-truth era. Now, everyone is concerned with their own ideas and not the realities, “Muratov said.
“Sociologists point out that, even if they know what is true and what is false, 75 percent of people consider the lie to be as true as they like the lie. This is already happening. We are far from perfect in directing human emotions. ”
‘We are part of the fight for the truth’
In his affidavit on Friday, Ressa criticized US technology giants like Facebook for making a profit by spreading lies and hatred.
Ressa told Al Jazeera that the facts were true and that media organizations should cooperate and support each other.
“The days when we were competing with each other are over. Now we are on the other side of the issue. “The ones I call the other side … are new security guards, professional companies who have relinquished their responsibilities to the public,” said Ressa.
He also noted that many countries are using the same tactics to discriminate against journalists and to oppose “the use of media tools, and the subsequent use of legal instruments”.
“This online tool ‘removes’ information…… How can we do our job if we do not trust each other? People watching – do they trust us? That is the source of the problem that I think we are facing today, ”said Ressa.
When a recent survey by Al Jazeera asked observers if they believed in journalism, 71 percent said no.
Maria Ressa of the Philippines winner of the Nobel Peace Prize speaks at the Nobel Peace Prize at Oslo City Hall, Norway. [Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP Photo]Rebels
The award comes at a time when infringement of the press and freedom of the press is growing worldwide.
Novaya Gazeta is one of the last independent Russian newspapers that has not been named as a foreigner.
Between 2000 and 2009, six journalists from the Novaya Gazeta was killed, including an investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya who was shot in the elevator of his home in 2006.
His reports exposed the high level of corruption in Russia and the violation of human rights in Chechnya.
“Although [the fact that] Russia’s media is crossing the dark valley now, we are not denying our facts, “Muratov told Al Jazeera when asked how his newspaper is enduring amid violence.
Many of Ressa’s activities focus on President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, which has led to unjust murder 7,000 people. As a result, he has faced insults and government cases.
To travel to Norway to receive her award, Ressa had to apply for a permit from four Philippine courts.
He is currently serving a six-year prison sentence for defamation.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) from Brussels said Thursday that the number of journalists in prison is increasing, with 365 journalists arrested in 2021 compared to 235 last year.
China has imprisoned 102 journalists in prison, while Turkey has 34 journalists in prisons, Belarus and Eritrea 29, Egypt 27 and Vietnam 21.
Russia still has 12 journalists in prison, and three journalists have been killed in the Philippines.
At least 45 journalists and radio operators have been killed this year, 33 of whom were killed in a coup, “IFJ said.
Ressa said he was “very fortunate” to have an audience in Norway as 36 hours ago, his former friend, Jesus Malabanan, was. shot to death – making him the 22nd journalist killed in the Philippines since Duterte took office in 2016.
Asked by a young journalist for advice, Ressa said that although “the world as it was in the past, our world is dead,” there is still “joy” in helping to create what journalism will be like in the 21st century.
“Think about your worst fears, I agree,” Ressa said.
“Whatever you fear most, you catch, hold, think and then think about what you would do if this happened. Come out with a plan and then let it go. Drop it if you need to, but when you do, you remove the fear and do the job.”
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