Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda and Al Jazeera’s AJ+ have been awarded an Emmy in the Outstanding Hard News Feature Story category for their documentary titled It’s Bisan From Gaza – and I’m Still Alive. Owda has been reporting from Gaza since Israel’s assault on the territory last October, sharing stories of Palestinians amidst 11 months of war and devastation.
Dima Khatib, Managing Director of AJ+ Channels, praised Owda for humanizing the Palestinian story and bringing it to a global audience in the face of dehumanization by mainstream media. The award comes after criticism from a pro-Israel organization alleging Owda’s affiliation with the PFLP, which she denies. The NATAS defended the nomination, stating there was no evidence of such ties.
Al Jazeera reiterated its support for Owda, calling the allegations baseless and an attempt to silence her reporting. They emphasized the importance of journalists being able to work without fear of intimidation or violence. In the past 11 months, over 130 journalists, including three from Al Jazeera, have been killed by Israeli forces according to RSF.
Owda and AJ+ also won a Peabody Award for their coverage of the impact of Israel’s war on Gaza. Additionally, Al Jazeera English’s Fault Lines won a News Emmy for its environmental coverage in a film exposing wildlife trafficking. Al Jazeera’s Acting Managing Director, Issa Ali, expressed gratitude for the award and highlighted the importance of journalism in today’s world.
The recognition of Owda’s work and the continued success of Al Jazeera in reporting on important issues like climate, environment, and human rights is a testament to the dedication and hard work of their teams.
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Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
