Maria Ressa, 2020 Four Freedoms Awards Laureate, sentenced
30 June 2020To show that we must keep striving for essential human freedoms, every year the Four Freedoms Awards are handed out. Because freedom in any form is not a given for everyone. The Awards are extended to men, women and organisations that apply Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms (freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear) in inspiring ways.
The Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute in New York began granting the Four Freedoms Awards in 1950. Roosevelt’s forefathers were originally from Oud-Vossemeer, in Zeeland. That is why, from 1982 onwards, the awards ceremony has taken place internationally, in collaboration with the Roosevelt Foundation in Zeeland.
The ideas of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt deserve our engagement – ideas that De Hoop Terneuzen supports, 100%. The Four Freedoms are of vital importance within our society. That is why De Hoop Terneuzen sponsors the Four Freedoms Awards with pride and conviction, so that the Roosevelt Foundation can continue to inspire and motivate people to cherish their freedoms and actively stand up for them.
Maria Ressa, 2020 Freedom of Speech Laureate
Maria Ressa is receiving the award for Freedom of Speech for her dedication to telling people what is going on in the world, and for decrying abuses of human rights. In the Netherlands, journalists are free to determine their own critical observations, free to express their opinion. It’s allowed. We recognise freedom of the press and attach great value to it. But that is not the case everywhere. In fighting for engaged journalism, Maria Ressa is one of the most lauded and persecuted journalists in the Philippines.
No matter how difficult the circumstances are or how much resistance she encounters, she stands up for freedom of the press. Though she has been personally attacked and has received death threats, she always says that she will keep speaking out, with an eye to future generations.
Sentenced
On 15 June 2020, a court in Manila sentenced Maria Ressa and Reynaldo Santos, Jr, to no less than six months imprisonment and a fine, for libel. The sentence is a new blow to free and independent press in the Philippines. We wish Maria Ressa and her colleagues courage and strength in their fight for justice, and in their continuing fight for freedom of the press. Maria Ressa’s sentencing shows how important it is to continue fighting for man’s essential freedoms.