The correct answer is D: A & B both (Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov). The Nobel Peace Prize for 2021 was indeed awarded jointly to two distinguished journalists: Maria Ressa of the Philippines and Dmitry Muratov of Russia. They received the prestigious award for their unwavering efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which the Nobel Committee recognized as a prerequisite for democracy and lasting peace. Ressa, co-founder of the news website Rappler, was honored for using freedom of expression to expose abuse of power, violence, and growing authoritarianism in her country. Muratov, editor-in-chief of the independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta, was awarded for his decades-long defense of freedom of speech in Russia, often under challenging circumstances with significant personal risk.
A: Maria Ressa is incorrect as she was one of the two laureates, but not the sole recipient. The prize was shared.
B: Dmitry Muratov is incorrect as he was also one of the two laureates, but not the sole recipient. The prize was shared.
C: Alexei Navalny is incorrect. While Alexei Navalny, a prominent Russian opposition leader and anti-corruption activist, has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in the past and has received other international awards (like the Sakharov Prize), he was not awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021.