The National Academy for Television and Arts and Sciences (NATAS) has defended its decision to nominate AJ+ contributor Bisan Owda for an Emmy after Creative Community for Peace, a pro-Israel nonprofit organisation, issued a letter criticising the nomination. Owda, 25, from war-hit Gaza, was nominated along with AJ+ in the Outstanding Hard News Feature Story category for the documentary, It’s Bisan from Gaza and I’m Still Alive. AJ+ is part of the Al Jazeera Media Network.
The documentary follows her journey as she is forced to leave her home in Gaza City and displaced numerous times amid Israel’s 10-month war on Gaza. The letter alleges Owda was affiliated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), which she has denied. The PFLP is a left-wing Palestinian political movement, and is designated a “terrorist organisation” by several Western countries, including the United States.
Adam Sharp, the academy’s president and chief executive, defended the nomination on Tuesday, saying that two panels, including experienced journalists, had made the decision and that the academy had not found any evidence that Owda was affiliated with the PFLP. He said that past nominees had “been controversial, giving a platform to voices that certain viewers may find objectionable or even abhorrent”, but they were honoured “in the service of the journalistic mission to capture every facet of the story”.
Al Jazeera said the allegations were “baseless” and “an attempt to silence Bisan and present a real threat to her safety on the ground”. “The call for the Emmy nomination to be rescinded is nothing more than an attempt to deny an important perspective to the global audience on the war and its devastating impact on innocent civilians,” the statement read.
In the past 11 months, more than 160 journalists, including four from Al Jazeera, have been killed by Israeli forces. “We urge the international journalistic community to support Bisan and other media professionals, ensuring they can carry out their essential work without fear of being targeted, intimidated or killed,” Al Jazeera’s statement said.
The Controversy and the Response
The Emmy nomination for Bisan Owda has sparked controversy, with a pro-Israel lobby group urging the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) to rescind the nomination. Creative Community for Peace, a Jewish non-profit organisation, issued an open letter on Monday urging NATAS to remove the eight-minute documentary It’s Bisan From Gaza and I’m Still Alive from the nominations. The letter alleged that Owda was linked with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a group designated as a terrorist organisation by the United States and the European Union. The letter stated that Owda spoke at the political group's events between 2014 and 2018, and that her nomination would legitimize a terrorist organization.
In response, NATAS CEO Adam Sharp said that the academy had “been unable to corroborate these reports, nor has it been able, to date, to surface any evidence of more contemporary or active involvement by Owda with the PFLP organization”. Sharp also pointed out that NATAS has a long history of honoring controversial works in the name of journalism, and that the nomination was made by a panel of experienced journalists. “All have been in the service of the journalistic mission to capture every facet of the story,” Sharp said.
The Impact of the Nomination
The nomination has been met with mixed reactions, with some praising NATAS for its decision and others criticizing the academy for overlooking Owda’s alleged ties to the PFLP. The incident highlights the challenges faced by journalists covering the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the increasing pressure they face to remain impartial. Al Jazeera, the media network that produced Owda’s documentary, has defended her work and condemned the attempts to silence her.
A Story of Resilience
Bisan Owda’s story is one of resilience and determination. She has continued to report on the war in Gaza, despite the dangers she faces. Her documentary, It’s Bisan from Gaza and I’m Still Alive, is a powerful testament to the human cost of the conflict. The nomination for an Emmy Award is a testament to her journalistic talent and her dedication to reporting the truth. The controversy surrounding the nomination is a reminder of the need for freedom of the press and the importance of supporting journalists who work in dangerous environments.
A Look into the Future
The Emmy nomination for Bisan Owda is just one example of the challenges faced by journalists covering the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As the conflict continues, it is likely that more journalists will face pressure and scrutiny for their reporting. It is important to remember that journalists play a vital role in informing the public and holding those in power accountable. It is also crucial to support journalists who work in dangerous environments and to ensure that they are able to carry out their work safely and without fear of intimidation. The future of journalism in the Middle East, and around the world, depends on it.
