Stone Soup Leadership Institute

Speaking Truth to Power

Maria Ressa, who is originally from the Philippines, wants to bring some of the tactics of climate change and human rights activists to journalism. For Maria, journalism shouldn’t just inform; it must also make change. Maria founded Rappler, a site that creates change through both rap (talking) and ripple (making waves). This journalism start-up made a big difference in the lives of everyday people when a typhoon hit the Philippines in 2013. The little truck that brought Rappler journalists through the storm to cover the news also served as a lifeline for the local residents who were directly affected by it.