Maria Ressa is a Filipino-American journalist and author, known for her work in investigative journalism. She co-founded the online news site Rappler, which focuses on issues in the Philippines, including government accountability and press freedom. Ressa has received numerous awards for her reporting, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021 for her efforts to safeguard freedom of expression. Ressa has faced legal challenges in the Philippines, including charges of cyber libel, which many view as an attack on press freedom. Despite these challenges, she continues to advocate for journalists' rights and the importance of a free press in democracy.