Maria Ressa speech at Vatican: Hope comes from action

Summary

Maria Ressa, CEO of Rappler, delivers a powerful speech on the intersection of press freedom, democracy, and technology. Reflecting on her personal experiences with political persecution, she highlights how social media platforms have transformed into tools for manipulation, spreading misinformation, and eroding trust in society. Ressa calls for a global effort to rebuild truth and integrity, stressing the importance of collaboration, speaking truth with moral clarity, and protecting vulnerable communities. She advocates for creating decentralized platforms that prioritize human dignity, while urging individuals to recognize their power in shaping a better, more just world.

Takeaways

• 😀 Maria Ressa co-founded Rappler, a digital news platform fighting for press freedom in the Philippines.
• 😀 Ressa has been subjected to political harassment and arrest by the Duterte government, showcasing her resilience in upholding journalistic integrity.
• 😀 In October 2021, Ressa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is vital for democracy.
• 😀 The rise of technology, especially social media, has enabled manipulation that undermines democracy and fuels societal divisions.
• 😀 Social media platforms amplify fear, anger, and hate, weakening trust in society and turning neighbor against neighbor.
• 😀 Technology's business model is built on exploiting human vulnerabilities, spreading lies, and eroding our capacity for empathy and nuance.
• 😀 Lies spread six times faster on social media than the truth, a phenomenon that contributes to widespread misinformation.
• 😀 Big Tech companies, such as Facebook, are responsible for enabling harm, including in cases like the genocide in Myanmar, by not being held accountable.
• 😀 The erosion of trust and integrity in the information ecosystem has led to a rise in authoritarianism worldwide, with 71% of the world now under authoritarian rule.
• 😀 Ressa advocates for the creation of a public tech stack for a more ethical and accountable virtual world, supporting the right to privacy and real conversations.
• 😀 The importance of collaboration, truth-telling, protecting vulnerable communities, and recognizing individual power is essential for positive change in the fight against misinformation and oppression.

Q & A

What is Maria Ressa known for in her work with Rappler?

Maria Ressa co-founded Rappler, a leading digital news site in the Philippines. She has been a vocal advocate for press freedom and has faced political harassment and legal challenges from the Philippine government due to her commitment to truth and journalistic integrity.

What major recognition did Maria Ressa receive in 2021?

In October 2021, Maria Ressa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a critical component of democracy and lasting peace.

What does Maria Ressa mean by saying 'technology enabled the rise of fascism'?

Maria Ressa refers to the dangerous impact of technology on society, particularly social media platforms that manipulate information and create division. She draws parallels between the current situation and the rise of fascism 80 years ago when new technology allowed for similar societal manipulation.

How has social media impacted democracy, according to Maria Ressa?

Social media has been exploited by big tech companies to manipulate people's emotions, creating echo chambers, exacerbating existing biases, and eroding trust. This has led to the rise of authoritarian regimes and the erosion of democratic values worldwide.

What personal experience does Maria Ressa share regarding political harassment?

Maria Ressa shares that her government targeted her with relentless harassment, including receiving an average of 90 hate messages per hour. She was arrested multiple times, and her government filed 10 criminal charges against her. Despite these challenges, she continues to fight for press freedom.

What is the significance of the 'Golden Rule' in Maria Ressa's speech?

Maria Ressa emphasizes the Golden Rule—'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you'—as a guiding principle in her fight for justice, truth, and standing up to dictators. It serves as a reminder to act with empathy and moral clarity, especially in times of division.

What does Maria Ressa mean by 'Big Tech rewards lies'?

Ressa argues that big tech companies have designed their platforms to reward the spread of lies and misinformation. These companies monetize outrage and division, which ultimately harms social cohesion and erodes the truth.

How does Maria Ressa suggest people can take action against the spread of misinformation?

Maria Ressa suggests that people should collaborate to close societal fracture lines, speak the truth with moral clarity, and protect the most vulnerable, such as journalists and human rights defenders. She also advocates for transparency and accountability from governments and big tech companies.

What role does Maria Ressa see faith communities playing in combating injustice?

Maria Ressa believes that faith communities, like the Catholic Church, have a crucial role in combating injustice by reclaiming their prophetic voice. They must demand transparency and accountability and stand up for truth, justice, and peace.

Why does Maria Ressa emphasize the importance of 'collaboration'?

Ressa stresses that collaboration is essential to building trust and closing the fracture lines that divide society. By working together, people can prevent the manipulation and polarization that technology often fuels, ensuring that truth and justice prevail.