Palestinian journalist Bisan Atef Owda has been awarded the Emmy for Outstanding Hard News Feature: Short Form for her project It’s Bisan From Gaza and I’m Still Alive. Her work documents the Israel-Hamas conflict, and she had previously won a Peabody Award for the same project. The award followed controversy regarding Owda’s alleged past affiliation with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. Despite calls for her nomination to be rescinded, the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) rejected the request, citing no current or corroborated involvement with the PFLP.
Owda’s nomination drew criticism from Jewish nonprofit Creative Community for Peace, which pointed to her involvement in PFLP events during her teenage years. However, NATAS stated that the alleged ties were dated and unverified for recent activity, and concluded her work met all competition rules.
Owda’s reporting has gained significant social media attention, particularly on Instagram and TikTok, where she shares her experiences from war-torn Gaza. Other notable winners at the News & Documentary Emmys included ABC and CNN.
