The Nobel Peace Prize is an award of immense prestige which is bestowed upon one exemplary personality each year. Last year, Chinese human rights activist Liu Xiaobo was given the Nobel Peace Prize. Even last year, the internet was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize as well, however it didn’t win. This year again, the internet has been nominated among the 241 total nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize.
This year there are a total of 241 nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize, which have surpassed the 237 total nominations of last year. Whistle blower website WikiLeaks, Afghan rights advocate Sima Samar, the European Union, former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, Cuban dissident Oswaldo Paya Sardinas, Russian rights group Memorial and its founder Svetlana Gannushkina are also among the Nobel Peace Prize nominees.
Many people would differ, however, that there is a lot of negative stuff that is generated online. True, that we’ve seen much hate and negativity spread against religions and schools of thought, but it can not be disregarded that the internet has played a vital role in one of the major revolutions of modern times. Take for example the Egyptian revolution, for which Wael Ghonim of Google thanked Facebook. It is well known that the internet in general, and Facebook in particular, were one of the root causes of the revolution in Egypt.
The effect of the internet, by large, on the Egyptian revolution was so much that former dictator Hosni Mubarak had shut down the internet in Egypt in a bid to disorganize the opposition. However, we all know that the internet played a vital role in the ouster of the Mubarak regime.
While one might not be entirely sure about WikiLeaks, because well, it has been condemned by many countries whose name has popped out in the cable leaks, however it should be kept in mind that WikiLeaks does come under the internet, so its a win-win situation for the internet if WikiLeaks grabs the Nobel Peace Prize.
The Nobel Peace Prize 2011 winner will be announced in October and the winner will also get 10 million Swedish Crowns, which is equivalent to $1.5 million dollars.
So if the internet wins the Nobel Peace Prize, who gets the money?
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