Nobel Peace prize Oleksandra Matviichuk: ‘Many people, even in developed democracies, do not realise the significance of freedom of the press’

We occur to dwell in reasonably turbulent occasions. The world order, based mostly on the Constitution of the UN and worldwide regulation, is collapsing earlier than our eyes. The issue is just not solely that the liberty house in authoritarian nations has narrowed to the dimensions of a jail cell. The issue is that even in developed democracies, forces calling into query the Common Declaration of Human Rights are gaining weight.

There are causes for this. The approaching generations changed these ones that survived the Second World Warfare. They’ve inherited democracy from their dad and mom. They started to take rights and freedoms without any consideration. They’ve change into customers of values. They understand freedom as selecting between cheeses within the grocery store. Subsequently, they’re able to change freedom for financial advantages, guarantees of safety or private consolation.

That’s the reason so many individuals, even in developed democracies, don’t realise the importance of freedom of the press. Thus, they’re more and more consuming the knowledge surrogate in social networks and messengers.

But, the reality is that freedom could be very fragile. Human rights will not be attained as soon as and ceaselessly. We make our personal decisions on daily basis.

Earlier than flying to Brussels, I had a gathering with a pal I had not seen because the starting of the full-scale struggle in Ukraine. I informed her that I might converse at this prize ceremony. Then she informed me this story.

On the primary day of the full-scale Russian invasion, my pal occurred to remain removed from her house. Along with others, she hid in a bomb shelter, the place the TV was working, they usually watched broadcasts from Kyiv oblast. The journalist was reporting dwell the results of the Russian’s first assaults – destroyed residential buildings, burned civilian vehicles, frightened folks. Finally, she completed her report by saying that she thanked everybody who then was listening and watching them, they usually, journalists, would narrate and present the happenings till the final second, so long as it was bodily doable for them.

My pal was crying when telling me this. That day she additionally didn’t know if she would survive. The one connection between her, her family members and the entire nation was this journalist who was simply doing her job actually. All of a sudden, this work acquired a major that means even for these individuals who had by no means mirrored on it earlier than.

I’ve heard the identical tales from individuals who have been within the Ukrainian territories occupied by the Russian military. The Russians have been convincing everybody that Kyiv had already been captured, however folks have been secretly listening to the radio waves to seek out out the reality. I’ve heard the identical tales from individuals who survived the Russian captivity. Prisoners who had entry to the cell web transmitted information from freedom. Folks have been crying when telling these tales similar to my pal was. As a result of they’ve realized the value of freedom of speech from their very own expertise.

I’m right here merely to say thanks, journalists. As a result of I wouldn’t have the fitting phrases to clarify the significance of the work you actually do

I’m a human rights lawyer, and I’ve been making use of the regulation to guard folks and human dignity for a few years. Nevertheless, the world didn’t started to extensively assist Ukraine when the Russians began to kill and rape civilians in Bucha, however when journalistic supplies about these crimes have been revealed in numerous languages.

This isn’t the struggle between two states – Russia and Ukraine. That is the struggle between two programs – authoritarianism and democracy. Russia is trying to persuade the entire world that democracy and human rights are faux values. As a result of through the struggle they can’t defend anybody. Russia claims that the reality doesn’t exist, and that there are solely synthetic strategic narratives promoted by the combating events.

I’m right here merely to say thanks, journalists. As a result of I wouldn’t have the fitting phrases to clarify the significance of the work you actually do. In Ukraine, in Iran, in Belgium, in Palestine, in Sudan, in Kenya.

I’m right here to say that, regardless of the whole lot, it is a life-affirming story, as a result of these are dramatic occasions that give hope. When freedom is denied, it begins to powerfully get away. Even once you can not depend on the regulation, and the worldwide peace and safety system doesn’t work, you’ll be able to at all times depend on folks. Individuals who uphold the values of freedom of speech and actually do their work.

We’re accustomed to considering by the lens of states and worldwide organisations, nevertheless, atypical folks have way more influence than they’ll even think about. Owing to such folks is an opportunity for us. Sure, the long run is imprecise and never assured. However, it’s such a privilege to have an opportunity to battle for the long run you want for your self and your personal youngsters.

This textual content is the transcription of the speech Oleksandra Matviichuk gave on the Reporters With out Borders 2023 press freedom awards ceremony, held in Brussels on 28 November 2023.