Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda’s AJ+ documentary wins big at News Emmys

It’s Bisan From Gaza and I’m Still Alive, the AJ+ story from Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda on her life in Gaza, won the outstanding hard news feature story—short form award at Wednesday’s News Emmys.

Calls were made earlier in August to rescind the nomination by Creative Community for Peace (CCP), an entertainment industry nonprofit that stands against antisemitism and cultural boycotts of Israel. The group alleged that Owda had connections to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), which the United States and European Union have declared a terrorist group. However, the News Emmys defended Owda’s nomination.

The 45th Annual News & Documentary Emmys, organised by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, were held on Wednesday in New York City. The first day of the News & Documentary Emmys awarded news stories while the second day will award documentaries.

It’s Bisan From Gaza and I’m Still Alive, which previously won a Peabody Award, uses social media to chronicle Owda’s family’s troubles as they flee the bombardement of their home in Gaza.

According to Variety, eeporting on Israel’s assault won several awards at the Emmys, including outstanding breaking news coverage, which went to CNN. The channel also won the outstanding continuing news coverage: short form Emmy for Clarissa Ward’s reports, while the outstanding continuing news coverage: short form award went to CNN’s The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper and Anderson Cooper 360 for its coverage of Terror in Israel.

ABC’s ABC News Live won outstanding live interview—short form for its coverage of Israeli Leader Speaks Out.