Emmys Stand by Gaza Journalist Bisan Owda After Calls to Revoke Nomination

The National Academy for Television and Arts and Sciences (NATAS) has addressed the controversy surrounding the Emmy nomination of Palestinian journalist Bisan Atef Owda, following a letter by over 150 celebrities and entertainment professionals demanding the nomination be revoked.

Bisan Atef Owda, 25, was nominated under the category of Outstanding Hard News Feature Story for her documentary, “It’s Bisan from Gaza and I’m Still Alive,” created in collaboration with AJ+, a branch of Al Jazeera. The documentary depicts Owda’s family fleeing their bombarded home in Beit Hanoun, Gaza Strip.

Creative Community for Peace (CCFP), a Jewish non-profit organization aimed at combating antisemitism and opposing the cultural boycott of Israel, alleged that Owda has connections with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). This group is classified as a terrorist organization by the US, Japan, and the European Union.

The letter, signed by notable personalities such as Debra Messing from “Will & Grace,” Selma Blair of “Cruel Intentions,” former Paramount CEO Sherry Lansing, head of WME Rick Rosen, billionaire Haim Saban, and entertainment manager Michael Rotenberg, urged NATAS to revoke Owda’s nomination. “NATAS must decide – they can either condone the murder of innocent civilians or they can listen to the entertainment community, and stand in opposition to hatred and violence,” the letter stated.

In response, NATAS CEO Adam Sharp clarified that the organization had been unable to confirm the reports about Owda’s alleged ties to PFLP and found no evidence of any current or active involvement with the group. Sharp emphasized the controversial nature of many Emmy-nominated documentaries, noting that they often give voice to perspectives that some viewers may find objectionable. However, such nominations are made in the spirit of journalism and are independently reviewed by experienced journalists.

Sharp’s full response to Ari Ingel, the executive director of CCFP, included additional points about the nature of the Emmy nomination process. He explained that submissions to the News & Documentary Emmys are reviewed independently by experienced journalists, and NATAS does not intervene unless competition rules have been breached. “The content submitted for award consideration was consistent with competition rules and NATAS policies,” he wrote. As such, NATAS found no grounds to overturn the editorial judgment of the independent journalists who had reviewed Owda’s work.

Owda has gained significant attention on social media since the Hamas attacks on October 7, wherein she documented the extensive destruction in Gaza following Israeli military action. The incident led to the destruction of 70 percent of Gaza’s infrastructure, and the ensuing Israeli campaign is currently under review by the International Court of Justice for being “plausibly genocidal.” Reports indicate that over 40,000 people, mostly women and children, have been killed.

In contrast to some of her peers, including New York Times photographer Motaz Azaiza and Al Jazeera correspondent Wael Al Dahdouh, who left Gaza following the deaths of friends and family, Owda continues to reside in the region. She currently lives in a tent, underscoring the dire conditions faced by many residents.

The documentary title, “It’s Bisan from Gaza and I’m Still Alive,” is derived from the opening line of all of Owda’s videos, where she begins with, “Hello, it’s Bisan from Gaza, and I’m still alive.”

Sharp concluded his letter by addressing the concerns raised about Owda’s past. Reports indicated that Owda, as a teenager, might have attended events associated with PFLP. However, NATAS could not corroborate these claims or find any contemporary evidence linking her to the organization. Sharp maintained that the Emmy submission followed all rules and policies, and NATAS had no basis to overturn the independent journalists’ decision.

Source: The Independent, AJ+