Palestinian Journalist Bisan Owda and AJ+ Win Emmy for Gaza War Documentary Amid Controversy

By Legal Wires 5 Minutes Read

Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda and AJ+, a digital channel of Al Jazeera, have been awarded an Emmy for Outstanding Hard News Feature Story for their documentary, It’s Bisan From Gaza – and I’m Still Alive. The short film documents the initial days of the Israeli assault on Gaza, offering a poignant look into the human suffering brought on by the war. Owda’s reporting has been widely recognized for its role in humanizing the Palestinian experience during the conflict.

Criticism of the Emmy Nomination

• The award followed a controversy sparked by a letter from Creative Community for Peace, a pro-Israel nonprofit, which criticized the nomination.
• The organization alleged that Owda had ties to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a left-wing Palestinian political group designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, including the United States. Owda has denied these allegations.
• In response to the criticism, Adam Sharp, President and CEO of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS), defended the nomination. He stated that two independent panels of experienced journalists had made the decision. He further explained that the Academy found no evidence linking Owda to the PFLP, and that controversial nominees have been honored in the past “in the service of the journalistic mission to capture every facet of the story.”

Al Jazeera’s Support for Owda

• Al Jazeera strongly supported Owda, describing her as a “renowned journalist and influencer” who had made a significant contribution to bringing news from Gaza to a global audience.
• In response to the allegations, Al Jazeera released a statement calling the claims “baseless” and an attempt to “silence Bisan and present a real threat to her safety on the ground.”
• The media organization reiterated its commitment to bringing authentic stories from Gaza, asserting, “The call for the Emmy nomination to be rescinded is nothing more than an attempt to deny an important perspective to the global audience on the war and its devastating impact on innocent civilians.”

A Testament to Palestinian Journalists

• Dima Khatib, Managing Director of AJ+, expressed pride in the win, stating, “This award is a testament to young Palestinian journalists and their professionalism. Bisan’s reporting has humanized the Palestinian story after decades of mainstream media’s systematic dehumanization of Palestinians.”
• Khatib emphasized that the award was not only a victory for Owda but also for humanity, underscoring the importance of Palestinian voices in global journalism.

The Context of Gaza Reporting

• Owda and AJ+ previously won a Peabody Award for their coverage of the impact of Israel’s war on Gaza.
• In the past 11 months, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has reported the deaths of more than 130 journalists, including three from Al Jazeera, during the Israeli offensive. Other media rights groups have documented different numbers, with Gaza’s Government Media Office recording 173 journalists and media workers killed.
• In response to the dangers facing journalists, Al Jazeera called for the international journalistic community to support reporters like Bisan Owda, stating, “We urge the international journalistic community to support Bisan and other media professionals, ensuring they can carry out their essential work without fear of being targeted, intimidated, or killed.”

Additional Award for Al Jazeera English

Alongside Owda and AJ+‘s win, Al Jazeera English’s Fault Lines received an Emmy Award for Outstanding Climate, Environment, and Weather Coverage for its film Shark Fin Hunters, which investigates wildlife trafficking threatening the oceans’ future.

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