The organizers of the News and Documentary Emmy Awards have defended the nomination of Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda, whose video report has drawn criticism from over 150 celebrities and industry professionals calling for her removal from the nominee list.
Owda, 25, received a nomination for Outstanding Hard News Feature Story for her documentary “It’s Bisan from Gaza and I’m Still Alive”, produced in collaboration with AJ+, a division of Al Jazeera. The film captures Owda’s experiences as her family escapes the bombardment in Beit Hanoun, Gaza.
Still, Owda is accused of having ties to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a terrorist organization that is outlawed in the US, Japan, and the EU. This accusation was made by Creative Community for Peace, a Jewish non-profit organization whose stated purpose is “to educate about rising antisemitism within the entertainment industry, and to galvanise support against the cultural boycott of Israel”.
Prominent figures such as Debra Messing, Selma Blair, former Paramount CEO Sherry Lansing, WME head Rick Rosen, billionaire Haim Saban, and entertainment manager Michael Rotenberg signed a letter urging the revocation of her nomination. In response, NATAS CEO Adam Sharp stated that the organization had not found evidence to support claims regarding Owda’s alleged connections to the PFLP organization.
Who is Bisan Owda?
Bisan Owda, who has been reporting from Gaza since the conflict escalated, has highlighted the dire humanitarian situation amid reports of over 40,000 fatalities, primarily among women and children.
While other journalists, including New York Times photographer Motaz Azaiza and Al Jazeera correspondent Wael Al Dahdouh, have fled the region after losing friends and family, Owda has stayed, living in a tent.
The title of her nominated documentary reflects her signature opening line: “Hello, it’s Bisan from Gaza, and I’m still alive.” Her impactful videos humanize the struggles of daily life in Gaza, revealing the resilience of Palestinians amid severe Israeli restrictions on essential supplies.
Owda and AJ+ were previously awarded a Peabody Award for their coverage of the devastating effects of the conflict on the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip.
Owda participates in numerous local and international teams and organizations that support women’s and youth participation, combat climate change, and uphold human rights.
