Maria Ressa is an internationally acclaimed journalist and co-founder of Rappler, the Philippines’ leading digital-only news platform and a global symbol in the fight for press freedom. As CEO of Rappler, she has stood at the forefront of journalism and democracy in Southeast Asia, challenging disinformation and political intimidation in pursuit of the truth.

In 2021, Maria was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless defense of freedom of expression—a fundamental pillar of democratic society. Her work exposes the growing threat of technology-fueled authoritarianism, and in her public talks, she expertly unpacks how social media has been weaponized to undermine democratic institutions worldwide.

A fearless voice against fake news and online propaganda, Maria has been named TIME Magazine’s Person of the Year (2018), one of the 100 Most Influential People (2019), and one of its Most Influential Women of the Century.

Before founding Rappler, Maria led CNN’s bureaus in Manila and Jakarta, covering political unrest and terrorism across Southeast Asia. She later returned to the Philippines to lead multimedia news at ABS-CBN, managing one of the largest newsrooms in the country.

Her most recent book, How to Stand Up to a Dictator, has been translated into over 20 languages. It is a powerful call to action for citizens and institutions around the world to recognize the urgency of protecting democratic freedoms.

Maria now travels globally, speaking on topics ranging from press freedom and democracy to corporate responsibility and the impact of technology on society. She is a Carnegie Distinguished Fellow and leads initiatives on artificial intelligence and democracy at Columbia University’s Institute of Global Politics. In 2024, she joined the faculty of Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs.

Maria’s mission is clear: to defend the truth, empower civil society, and help restore trust in facts in an age of information chaos.