Journalists Maria Ressa, Dmitry Muratov win Nobel Peace Prize

Nobel Peace Prize: The Nobel Peace Prize awarded on Friday to journalists Maria Ressa of Philippines and Dmitry Muratov of Russia for their fight for freedom of expression in their countries.

The pair were honoured for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace, said the chairwoman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Berit Reiss-Andersen.

They are representatives of all fearless journalists who stand up for truth in a world in which democracy and freedom of the press face increasingly adverse conditions, she said.

58 years old Ressa and 59 years old Rappler have also documented how social media is being used to spread fake news, harass opponents and manipulate public discourse.

Ressa, a former CNN correspondent who also holds US citizenship, is currently on bail pending an appeal against a conviction last year in a cyber libel case, for which she faces up to six years in prison.

Muratov, has defended freedom of speech in Russia for decades, under increasingly challenging conditions.