The University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism announced on Wednesday, October 8, US time, the 2025 recipients of the Maria Ressa Prizes for Courage in Journalism, honoring individuals and news organizations that demonstrated exceptional bravery in pursuing the truth.

This year’s honorees include Myanmarese documentarian Shin Daewe, the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), The Haitian Times, and student journalists from UCLA, Indiana University, and Columbia University. A special citation was also given to journalists who died covering the war in Gaza.

Named after 2021 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa, the awards recognize journalists who persist in their work despite threats from governments or powerful interests. Each prize carries a $3,000-cash award, made possible by the support of the First Look Institute.

Daewe, who was arrested and tortured in 2023 for using a drone to film a documentary, received the main Ressa Prize for Courage in Journalism. She is one of two journalists in prison in Myanmar who have ties to news outlets funded by the US Agency for Global Media, which had its budget cut by the Trump administration this year.

The OCCRP was honored for its global investigations into corruption. One of the OCCRP’s recent works was its partnership with The Boston Globe for reporting on the financial mismanagement of a major hospital chain, which became a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize.

The Haitian Times was cited for countering misinformation about Haitian refugees during the 2024 US presidential election, amplified by then-candidate Donald Trump and others.

The student journalism award recognized reporters who covered campus protests related to the war in Gaza under intense pressure from authorities.

A special citation was also made for journalists and media workers who died in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon while covering the war in the Middle East.

Merrill College Dean Rafael Lorente said the winners exemplify the bravery it takes to practice journalism today.

“The courage they displayed to simply practice journalism is unparalleled and Merrill College is proud to recognize these models of our profession,” Lorente said.

Awardees will be honored on campus this month and will speak with students about their work. – Rappler.com

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