Bedeviled: A Podcast about American Democracy from Duke University · Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy

"Don't Allow Yourself to Get Bulldozed": A Nobel Laureate on Resisting Authoritarianism

·21 min·2 clips

Nobel winner Maria Ressa warns the U.S. is close to repression like in the Philippines under Trump.

Maria Ressa, a Nobel Peace Prize-winning journalist and CEO of Rappler, joins host John Harwood to discuss threats to American democracy. Ressa, who holds dual U.S. and Filipino citizenship, faced multiple criminal charges from the Philippine government for her reporting. She draws direct parallels between the authoritarian tactics she experienced and current political dynamics in the United States. Ressa describes the legal harassment she endured, including ten arrest warrants and a conviction for cyber libel, which she is appealing. She explains how former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's administration used social media to spread disinformation and attack journalists. Ressa argues that technology platforms, through their algorithms, have prioritized the spread of anger and lies over facts. She cites the 2016 Cambridge Analytica scandal as a key moment revealing how data could be weaponized for political manipulation. Ressa details how populist leaders globally now use these same "cheap army" digital tactics to consolidate power. She warns that the United States is particularly vulnerable due to its high social media usage and political polarization. The conversation examines the specific plans of the new U.S. administration to centralize executive authority. A key insight is Ressa's claim that the first step toward authoritarianism is attacking facts and the institutions, like journalism, that establish them. She finds it surprising and alarming that similar legal intimidation tactics used against her are now emerging in American courtrooms. Ressa emphasizes that technology companies enabled this global shift by failing to stop the spread of hate and disinformation on their platforms. She argues that journalism's survival depends on building loyal communities of supporters who value truth. A memorable moment is her personal reflection on the psychological toll of constant legal battles and online harassment. Ressa concludes that citizens must actively defend democratic norms and "not allow themselves to get bulldozed." The tone is urgent and educational, grounded in Ressa's firsthand experience as a journalist under fire. The style is a direct, conversational interview focused on applying international lessons to the U.S. context. This episode would deeply interest listeners concerned about democratic erosion, media freedom, and the political impact of social media. Those seeking purely domestic U.S. political analysis without global comparison might find it less directly relevant.

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