Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda and Al Jazeera’s AJ+ have been awarded an Emmy in the Outstanding Hard News Feature Story category for their short documentary, It’s Bisan From Gaza – and I’m Still Alive. The film captures the early days of Israel’s war on Gaza, highlighting the human cost of the conflict.
Owda, a prominent voice reporting from Gaza since Israel launched its assault last October, has been instrumental in sharing the stories of Palestinians with the world. “This award is a testament to young Palestinian journalists and their professionalism. Bisan’s reporting has humanised the Palestinian story after decades of mainstream media’s systematic dehumanisation of Palestinians. Winning this Emmy is a win for humanity,” said Dima Khatib, Managing Director of AJ+ Channels.
The Emmy win comes a month after a pro-Israel nonprofit organisation, Creative Community for Peace, criticized the film’s nomination, alleging that Owda had ties to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), which is a left-wing Palestinian political group considered a “terrorist organisation” by several Western nations, including the United States. Owda has denied the allegations.
Adam Sharp, the President and CEO of the National Academy of Television and Arts and Sciences (NATAS), stood by the nomination, noting that two independent panels of experienced journalists reviewed the decision. “Past nominees have been controversial, giving a platform to voices that certain viewers may find objectionable or even abhorrent,” Sharp said, but emphasized that these stories were honored in the spirit of journalism.
Al Jazeera also backed Owda, rejecting the claims as “baseless” and “an attempt to silence Bisan,” adding that such accusations posed a real threat to her safety. The network praised Owda as a “renowned journalist and influencer,” whose distinct reporting style has brought global attention to the situation in Gaza.
The war has taken a heavy toll on journalists covering the conflict. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), over 130 journalists have been killed by Israeli forces in the last 11 months. The Government Media Office in Gaza reports the figure to be 173, including three Al Jazeera journalists.
Al Jazeera has urged the international journalistic community to stand by Owda and others, ensuring their safety while covering critical stories from conflict zones. In May, Owda and AJ+ also won a Peabody Award for their coverage of the war’s impact on Gaza’s civilians.
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