‘It’s Bisan From Gaza and I’m Still Alive’ Wins News & Doc Emmy Despite Calls For Its Disqualification; Big Winners Include CNN, ABC, Nat Geo
variety.comMichael Schneider Variety Editor at Large “It’s Bisan From Gaza and I’m Still Alive,” the AJ+ news story from Palestinian journalist/activist/filmmaker Bisan Owda that sparked controversy after earning a News and Documentary Emmy nomination earlier this year, has now won that Emmy.
The report won the outstanding hard news feature story—short form category on Wednesday during the news portion of the two-day 45th Annual News & Documentary Emmys, held by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
After the project’s nomination, there were calls by the U.S.-based nonprofit Creative Community For Peace for the nomination to be rescinded, with a letter signed by the Hollywood notables including of Debra Messing, Sherry Lansing, Haim Saban and others accusing Owda of having ties to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a United States-designated terrorist group. “It’s Bisan From Gaza and I’m Still Alive,” which had previously won a Peabody, uses social media to chronicle Owda’s family’s plight as they flee bombardment of their home in Gaza City.
In response, NATAS president Adam Sharp said that Owda’s nomination would not be rescinded, writing in a letter that “It’s Bisan From Gaza and I’m Still Alive” was “reviewed by two successive panels of independent judges, including senior editorial leadership from each significant U.S.
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