On Wednesday, Sept. 25, Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda won an Emmy for her documentary ‘It’s Bisan from Gaza and I’m Still Alive.’ Produced by Al Jazeera’s AJ+, the project documents Owda’s daily life amid Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza.

“This award is testimony to the power of one woman armed only with an iPhone who survived almost a year of bombardment,” said John Lawrence, senior executive producer for AJ+ Reports, as he accepted the award on Owda’s behalf.

Since October 7, 2023, Owda has documented the devastating impact of Israeli bombardment on Gaza and the lives of Palestinians.  Partnering with AJ+, Owda portrays the realities of Palestinian survival through a series of livestreams, interviews, and photos, reaching over 40 million viewers across various platforms. 

Often amidst the rubble of Gaza, Owda opens each of her videos with the phrase “It’s Bisan from Gaza and I’m Still Alive.” This signature line is the title of Owda’s documentary which received a Peabody Award in May.

In July, Owda and AJ+ also earned a News and Documentary Emmy nomination. After the project’s nomination, the U.S.-based nonprofit Creative Community For Peace released a letter calling for the nomination to be rescinded. The pro-Israeli organization accused Owda of having ties to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a left-wing Palestinian political movement and United States-designated terrorist group.

In August, Adam Sharp, the president and chief executive of the National Academy of Television and Arts and Sciences (NATAS), and Al Jazeera defended the nomination.

Al Jazeera released a statement, saying the allegations were “baseless” and “an attempt to silence Bisan and present a real threat to her safety on the ground.”

Similarly, Sharp said the academy had not found any evidence that Owda was affiliated with the PFLP.

On Wednesday, Bisan Owda and AJ+ won the Emmy for Outstanding Hard News Feature: Short Form for their documentary.