On October 16, 2026, at The Greene Space in New York, Maria Ressa, CEO of Rappler and 2021 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, presented her vision for combating authoritarianism in a digital era. This discussion was part of WNYC's *Democracy Dialogues* series.
Ressa's new book, *The Fight Back: A Citizen’s Guide to Standing Up to Dictators*, serves as a framework for citizens worldwide to reclaim their democratic rights. She highlights the urgent need for awareness and action as authoritarian regimes and powerful tech companies increasingly threaten democratic values.
The Authoritarian Stack: A New Threat
The bigger dictator, and you’ll see this in both *How to Stand Up to a Dictator* and *The Fight Back*, is actually Mark Zuckerberg.
Maria Ressa, CEO of Rappler
Ressa's argument centers on what she calls an 'authoritarian stack,' a troubling relationship between political leaders and tech executives. She asserts that figures like Meta's Mark Zuckerberg wield more influence than political leaders, operating largely without accountability. Ressa noted, 'While Duterte is now detained at The Hague, the technology that rules our lives remains unchecked.'
The Philippines serves as a case study for Ressa, illustrating how social media can be manipulated to undermine democracy. During Duterte's presidency, Rappler faced a barrage of online attacks and legal challenges, which Ressa claims were facilitated by a narrative that painted her as a threat.
AI: The Next Frontier
Artificial intelligence is now a focal point in Ressa’s warnings. She describes three phases of technological evolution that affect personal autonomy, culminating in powerful AI systems that operate independently of human control. These systems, she argues, lack necessary safeguards, leading to potential crises in democratic accountability.
Ressa emphasizes that the governance of AI cannot be left solely to major powers like the United States and China. Instead, she calls for a collaborative global approach to ensure all nations, especially developing ones, are included in shaping technological regulations.
Empowering Citizens
To resist authoritarianism, Ressa encourages individuals to engage actively in their communities and support independent journalism. She argues that journalism is vital in holding power accountable and urges citizens to back independent media through subscriptions and donations.
Ressa's central message resonates strongly: hope is not a passive state but a call to action. 'Hope comes from action,' she insists, urging citizens to confront the abuses of power head-on.