Podcast Summary: "Make Authoritarianism Great Again? with Maria Ressa"
The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart
Release Date: March 6, 2025

The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart delves deep into the pressing issue of rising authoritarianism with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa, CEO of Rappler, and Professor at Columbia University. This episode, released on March 6, 2025, navigates the intricate dynamics of democratic erosion, the influence of technology on political landscapes, and the unwavering spirit required to uphold truth in tumultuous times.

1. Introduction: Setting the Stage

Jon Stewart opens the discussion by highlighting Maria Ressa's relentless fight against authoritarianism in the Philippines and draws parallels to the political climate in the United States. He emphasizes Maria's resilience and the significance of her insights in understanding global shifts toward illiberal democracies.

2. The Rise of Authoritarianism

Maria Ressa recounts her experiences under President Rodrigo Duterte's regime in the Philippines, illustrating how Duterte swiftly consolidated power by pivoting alliances from the United States to China and Russia, undermining the country's constitutional checks and balances within six months. She draws a concerning comparison to current events in the U.S., noting, “This is the second time I've gone through it in my two countries... Rodrigo Duterte became the most powerful leader the Philippines has ever had.” (04:21)

Jon Stewart probes into whether this signifies a new world order where illiberal democracies with unitary executives dominate, to which Maria responds, “If we were paying attention, it's been happening. As of last year, 71% of the world is now under authoritarian rule.” (06:25)

3. The Role of Technology and Social Media

The conversation shifts to the pivotal role of technology in accelerating authoritarianism. Maria Ressa explains how social media platforms have become tools for manipulation, enabling the spread of lies that distort public perception and weaken democratic institutions. She cites that “lies spread six times faster on social media,” highlighting the alarming speed at which misinformation proliferates (07:57).

Maria introduces the concept of "slicing the salami," describing how incremental erosions lead to significant democratic decline without overt upheaval (08:27). She emphasizes that techniques once applied in the Philippines are now being observed in the United States, exacerbating polarization and undermining trust in institutions.

4. The Impact on Journalism and Democracy

Maria Ressa shares her personal battle against Duterte's regime, detailing the numerous criminal charges filed against her for her journalistic endeavors. She underscores the critical role of unbiased journalism in maintaining a shared reality essential for democracy. “The only way you fight back is with facts and law,” she asserts, stressing the importance of factual reporting in countering authoritarian narratives (10:23-12:22).

Jon Stewart and Maria discuss how Ressa's relentless pursuit of truth serves as a beacon for democratic resilience, despite facing severe repercussions. Maria highlights the necessity of journalism as "the people's lawyer" to litigate realities and uphold evidentiary standards crucial for informed citizenry (50:02).

5. Proposed Solutions and Action Plan

Addressing the manipulation inherent in modern information ecosystems, Maria Ressa outlines a 10-point action plan developed alongside other Nobel laureates and civil society groups. She categorizes these solutions into three primary buckets:

1. Stop Surveillance for Profit: Challenging the surveillance capitalism model that prioritizes profit over privacy and manipulates public perception.

2. Stop Coded Bias: Tackling inherent biases in technology that exacerbate societal inequalities and marginalize vulnerable groups.

3. Journalism as an Antidote to Tyranny: Reinforcing the role of journalism in maintaining a fact-based, shared reality essential for democracy.

Maria introduces the Matrix Protocol, a secure, federated communication platform designed to protect against information manipulation and foster a shared reality. She explains, “The Matrix Protocol allows us to have a shared reality,” proposing it as a viable countermeasure to the fragmented narratives propagated by big tech (52:06-54:17).

6. Closing Thoughts: A Call to Action

In the concluding remarks, Jon Stewart expresses admiration for Maria Ressa's unwavering commitment and spirit. Maria reiterates the urgent need for individual and collective action to preserve democratic values and resist the insidious spread of authoritarianism. She emphasizes, “If you don't stand up for your rights right now, you will only get weaker over time,” urging listeners to engage actively in combating misinformation and supporting fact-based institutions (55:21-56:45).

Jon Stewart wraps up the episode by acknowledging the profound insights shared by Maria Ressa, reinforcing the critical importance of maintaining a shared reality and robust journalistic standards to counteract the forces threatening democracy globally.

Notable Quotes

• Maria Ressa (04:21): “This is the second time I've gone through it in my two countries... Rodrigo Duterte became the most powerful leader the Philippines has ever had.”

• Maria Ressa (06:25): “If we were paying attention, it's been happening. As of last year, 71% of the world is now under authoritarian rule.”

• Maria Ressa (08:27): “Slicing the salami. Because, you know, you slice bit of it and then democracy's gone.”

• Maria Ressa (10:23): “The only way you fight back is with facts and law.”

• Maria Ressa (50:02): “The only way you fight back is with facts and law.”

• Maria Ressa (52:06): “The Matrix Protocol allows us to have a shared reality.”

• Maria Ressa (55:21): “If you don't stand up for your rights right now, you will only get weaker over time.”

Conclusion

This episode of The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart offers a compelling exploration of the mechanisms fueling the rise of authoritarianism, the destructive impact of technology on democratic structures, and the indispensable role of journalism in safeguarding truth and shared reality. Maria Ressa's firsthand experiences and strategic insights provide listeners with a profound understanding of the challenges and potential solutions to preserve democratic integrity in an increasingly polarized and digitally manipulated world.