Maria Ressa
Founder of Rappler, 2021 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, press freedom advocate
Maria Ressa (born October 2, 1963) is a Filipino-American journalist, author, and technology entrepreneur who has become a global advocate for press freedom and digital rights. She founded Rappler in 2012, a news and social news network that quickly gained prominence for its investigative journalism and coverage of human rights issues in the Philippines. Ressa served as CEO of Rappler while maintaining her role as an active journalist, reporting on topics ranging from corruption to the country's controversial drug war. Her work has made her a target of online harassment and legal challenges, which she has documented and publicly discussed as evidence of how authoritarian regimes exploit digital platforms to suppress dissent. In 2021, Ressa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize jointly with Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov for their courageous efforts to safeguard freedom of expression in their respective countries. She has written a memoir titled "How to Stand Up to a Dictator" and continues to be an influential voice in discussions about media literacy, fact-checking, and the responsibility of technology companies in combating misinformation.
Business & Industry
Filipino-American
1963
Thinking about the name
Ressa
American origin
“A short, punchy modern name with a cheerful, energetic sound, Ressa may be a shortened form of larger names or a standalone contemporary creation. The name has an immediate, friendly quality that makes it accessible to speakers of multiple languages. Its brevity gives it modern appeal.”