My only crime is to be a journalist, to speak truth to power.
Meaning
Ressa spoke these words at the 2019 Time 100 gala while facing legal cases in the Philippines that she and supporters saw as retaliation for her reporting. The line shows how speaking plainly can be treated as a threat. Back colleagues who speak honestly, even when it is uncomfortable.
Source: Time 100 speech (2019)
About the author
Maria Ressa is a Filipino-American journalist and co-founder of the news site Rappler. She shared the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize with Dmitry Muratov for efforts to safeguard freedom of expression.
Related quotes
-
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
Meaning: True strength lies in perseverance through both success and failure. -
“The courage to speak truth is essential for meaningful change.”
Meaning: Truth drives change. -
“We should not give up and we should not allow the problem to defeat us.”
Meaning: Stay resilient in difficult times. -
“Your voice becomes powerful not when it is loud, but when it speaks truth without fear of being dismissed.”
Meaning: Authenticity creates strength. -
“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”
Meaning: Staying in a comfort zone can become more painful than taking a risk to grow. This quote emphasizes that personal transformation often requires stepping into uncertainty. Growth happens when we overcome fear and embrace change. -
“Freedom inspires people to achieve levels of courage and excellence they might never reach otherwise.”
Meaning: Liberty encourages individuals to act boldly, take responsibility, and strive for higher ideals. Free societies often inspire bravery, innovation, and personal growth. -
“Walk on air against your better judgment.”
Meaning: This quote encourages taking imaginative or hopeful risks, even when logic advises caution. It celebrates intuition and creative courage. -
“Change requires both courage and careful planning.”
Meaning: This quote highlights that transformation needs bold decisions as well as thoughtful strategy. -
“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage.”
Meaning: The opportunities and experiences we have in life depend on how willing we are to take risks. Courage allows us to explore, grow, and achieve more, while fear limits our potential. This quote highlights the importance of bravery in shaping a meaningful life. -
“Courage is taking action despite uncertainty.”
Meaning: Bravery is acting without guarantees.