Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda and Al Jazeera’s AJ+ have won an Emmy in the prestigious Outstanding Hard News Feature Story category for their documentary It’s Bisan From Gaza – and I’m Still Alive. The film captures Owda’s powerful journey of survival and reporting from Gaza, where she has fearlessly documented the devastation of her homeland during Israel’s assault that began last October.
Owda has emerged as a bold voice from the war-torn Gaza Strip, sharing the human stories behind the destruction and providing global audiences with an unflinching view of Palestinian lives amid ongoing conflict.
“This award is a triumph for young Palestinian journalists and a victory for truth,” said Dima Khatib, Managing Director of AJ+ Channels. “Bisan’s reporting has reclaimed the humanity of Palestinians after years of dehumanization in mainstream media. Winning this Emmy is a win for humanity itself. Despite the horrors of war and genocide, Bisan will keep telling the stories that need to be heard.”
The accolade came just weeks after a pro-Israel nonprofit, Creative Community for Peace, called for Owda’s Emmy nomination to be withdrawn, citing allegations of ties to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a group designated as a terrorist organization by several Western countries. Owda denied these claims, and the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) stood by her nomination, with president Adam Sharp asserting that no evidence had been found to support the accusations.
In response to the controversy, Al Jazeera defended Owda, calling the allegations “baseless” and condemning attempts to silence her vital reporting from Gaza. The media network praised her unique ability to bring raw, unfiltered stories from the heart of conflict, offering a rare perspective on the lives of those most affected by the violence.
“To rescind this Emmy nomination would be an attack on the essential role of journalism in exposing the truth and amplifying the voices of the voiceless,” Al Jazeera stated.
In the past 11 months, over 130 journalists have been killed in Gaza, including three from Al Jazeera, according to Reporters Without Borders. The mounting death toll underscores the critical need for the international journalistic community to rally behind reporters like Owda, ensuring their safety and ability to continue reporting without fear of retribution.
This Emmy is just the latest recognition for Owda and AJ+, who also received a Peabody Award in May for their coverage of the impact of Israel’s war on Gaza. Al Jazeera English’s Fault Lines team also took home an Emmy for their eye-opening film on wildlife trafficking, Shark Fin Hunters, reinforcing the network’s commitment to courageous, impactful journalism.
