A viral video, reportedly filmed inside the Nobel Institute in Oslo, has triggered one of the greatest crises in the history of the Nobel Committee.

The clip, less than three minutes long, appears to reveal evidence of manipulation in the final voting process for the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize. Within hours of its emergence, this short, shaky footage sent shockwaves through governments, NGOs, and peace organizations across the world.

In a dramatic twist, the 2024 laureate — Nihon Hidankyo, the Japanese organization representing survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki — announced its withdrawal from the award in an unprecedented act of protest.

The question now shaking the international community: Has the world’s most sacred peace award been compromised?

The Viral Footage: A Glimpse Into the Shadows of Oslo

The leaked video, first posted on X (formerly Twitter) by an anonymous account under the name @NordicWhistle, appears to show a private discussion among several Nobel Committee members in a dimly lit conference room.

The dialogue, partially obscured by background noise, includes one chilling phrase:

“If we don’t adjust the shortlist, the sponsors won’t approve the funding.”

Within seconds, the video cuts to a document flashing briefly across the screen — what appears to be a voting summary sheet showing the names of three finalists. Two of them, including a humanitarian group in Ukraine and a climate coalition in Africa, are circled in red. The winner’s name, Nihon Hidankyo, seems to have been handwritten later — as if added after the official tally.

Although the authenticity of the footage has yet to be verified, several digital forensics experts told Reuters that “no signs of artificial manipulation” were detected.

The Nobel Foundation, however, issued a swift response:

“We are aware of the circulating footage. It has been heavily edited and taken out of context. The Nobel Peace Prize process remains independent, impartial, and free of external influence.”

But the damage was already done. Within hours, the clip had been viewed over 80 million times, sparking outrage and disbelief across the world.

Nihon Hidankyo’s Response: “We Cannot Accept a Prize Tainted by Politics”

In a solemn press conference in Tokyo, Nihon Hidankyo’s spokesperson, Masako Hara, confirmed that the organization had officially withdrawn from the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize.

“We are deeply honored by the recognition of our decades-long fight for peace. But we cannot accept a prize if it has been influenced by the same forces that profit from conflict,” Hara said, her voice trembling.

She went on to state that the group’s members — survivors of the 1945 atomic bombings — viewed the alleged manipulation as a betrayal of the very values the prize was meant to represent.

The decision left audiences in tears, but also in shock. No laureate in modern history has ever voluntarily relinquished the Nobel Peace Prize — not even under political pressure or international controversy.

Who Are Nihon Hidankyo?

Founded in 1956, Nihon Hidankyo (The Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations) has served as the collective voice of the hibakusha — survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

For nearly seven decades, they’ve campaigned tirelessly for nuclear disarmament, survivor healthcare, and international education about the horrors of atomic warfare.

Their selection as the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize laureate was celebrated globally as long-overdue recognition for their moral courage and human advocacy. But the leaked footage — and their subsequent withdrawal — has now cast a dark shadow over that celebration.

“They turned an honor into a heartbreak,” said Akihiko Tanaka, a longtime member of the organization. “We did not ask for medals. We asked for truth.”

Inside the Committee: Whispers of Pressure and Power

While the Nobel Committee insists that the selection process is fully independent, insiders have long hinted that donors and partner organizations wield quiet influence behind the scenes.

A former Nobel researcher, speaking anonymously to The Guardian, claimed that “informal lobbying” is not uncommon.

“There are no direct orders, but there are hints — from embassies, from sponsors, from governments. The Committee listens.”

If the leaked video is proven genuine, it would confirm what many critics have suspected for years: that the Peace Prize may no longer be as impartial as it appears.

According to an internal memo obtained by the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten, some committee members have already demanded an independent investigation into the 2024 selection process, calling the situation a “potential existential crisis” for the Nobel brand.

The Fallout: A Divided World Reacts

Reactions have been swift — and fierce.

• In Japan, citizens have flooded social media with the hashtag #StandWithHidankyo, praising the group for standing by its principles.

• In Europe, journalists and analysts have called for a full audit of the Nobel Foundation’s finances, particularly donations linked to defense and technology companies.

• In the U.S., several lawmakers have issued statements demanding that “transparency be restored to global peace institutions.”

Meanwhile, thousands of protestors gathered outside the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, holding signs that read “Peace Cannot Be Bought” and “No More Hidden Hands.”

“If even the Peace Prize is tainted, where can we find truth?” one protestor asked tearfully on live television.

The Nobel Committee in Damage Control

Facing what may be the biggest credibility crisis in its history, the Nobel Committee has convened an emergency meeting to address the scandal.

Sources inside the organization say the committee is “deeply divided.” Some members reportedly advocate for a full public inquiry, while others believe such a move would only amplify the damage.

In a rare public appearance, Nobel Foundation Chair Vidar Olsen told reporters:

“The Nobel Peace Prize has always symbolized hope and courage. We will investigate these claims thoroughly. But we ask the world to wait for facts, not rumors.”

Despite the plea, the global media frenzy continues to grow — with every new rumor, every new clip, and every new leaked document adding fuel to the fire.

A Legacy at Risk

The Nobel Peace Prize has not been immune to controversy. In the past, critics questioned awards given to political figures such as Barack Obama (2009) and Aung San Suu Kyi (1991).

But this moment feels different.

This time, it’s not a debate about who deserves peace — it’s a question of whether peace itself can still be trusted as a prize.

If the allegations prove true, the Nobel Committee could face calls for a complete restructuring — or even international oversight — to restore credibility.

For Nihon Hidankyo, however, the decision to walk away seems final.

“Our fight has always been for moral integrity,” Masako Hara said in her closing remarks. “If peace is bought, it is no peace at all.”

What Happens Next?

Digital forensics experts, journalists, and independent organizations are now analyzing the Oslo footage frame by frame.

The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) has announced that it is preparing a report titled “The Nobel Papers,” which could expose the financial and political networks behind several recent Nobel decisions.

Meanwhile, the Nobel Foundation is expected to hold a press conference within 72 hours, where it may announce an official review — or possibly even a temporary suspension of the Peace Prize for the coming year.

Until then, the world waits.

A Symbol in Crisis, A Message That Endures

Even amid the chaos, one message from Nihon Hidankyo’s official withdrawal letter continues to echo across the world:

“We do not reject peace. We reject corruption. The survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki have lived through fire — and we will not let truth be buried in silence.”

As millions debate, doubt, and mourn the apparent fall of a global institution, their words cut through the noise like a beacon of conviction.

For over 120 years, the Nobel Peace Prize represented the pinnacle of moral achievement. Today, that symbol faces its toughest test.

Whether it emerges tarnished or transformed will depend not on committees or corporations — but on whether the world still believes that peace, in its truest form, cannot be awarded… only earned.