Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda and Al Jazeera’s AJ+ have been awarded an Emmy for their documentary “It’s Bisan From Gaza – and I’m Still Alive” in the Outstanding Hard News Feature Story category. Owda has been reporting from Gaza during the Israeli assault on the territory, bringing the stories of Palestinians to a global audience. The award comes after allegations by a pro-Israel group that Owda was affiliated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), which she denied. The National Academy of Television and Arts and Sciences defended the nomination, stating that there was no evidence of such affiliation.
Al Jazeera stood by Owda, stating that the accusations were baseless and an attempt to silence her reporting from Gaza. The media group emphasized the importance of allowing journalists like Owda to continue their work without fear of being targeted or intimidated. Owda and AJ+ previously won a Peabody Award for their coverage of the impact of Israel’s war on Gaza. Al Jazeera English’s Fault Lines also received a News Emmy for Outstanding Climate, Environment, and Weather Coverage for their film “Shark Fin Hunters.”
Al Jazeera expressed their delight and honor at receiving the award, acknowledging the importance of journalism in today’s world. The media group called for support from the international journalistic community to protect journalists like Owda as they carry out their essential work. Amidst ongoing violence and conflict, awards like these serve as a testament to the dedication and hard work of journalists in bringing important stories to the global audience.
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Photo credit www.aljazeera.com