An amazing journalist, Maha Hussaini
I am writing to address the recent controversy involving
Palestinian journalist Maha Hussaini and the International Women’s Media
Foundation (IWMF). The IWMF rescinded its Courage in Journalism Award to
Hussaini after a smear campaign led by the Washington Free Beacon. Hussaini, an
award-winning journalist and human rights advocate, has extensively documented
Israel’s war on Gaza, reporting on the mass displacement of Palestinians while
being repeatedly displaced herself.
Hussaini has faced numerous smear campaigns throughout
her career. In 2020, she won the Martin Adler Prize from the Rory Peck Trust
and faced similar attacks. Despite these challenges, she continues her critical
work. The decision by the IWMF to rescind her award has drawn widespread
condemnation, including from the Marie Colvin Journalists’ Network, which
emphasized the importance of freedom of speech and the right of journalists in
Gaza to express themselves.
In an op-ed for Middle East Eye, Hussaini criticized the
IWMF for its lack of courage, stating, "Winning a prize for 'courage'
means being subjected to attacks and choosing to continue your work
regardless." Hussaini's reporting has highlighted severe conditions in
Gaza, including starvation and field executions of Palestinians.
Her work is vital, especially as she continues to report
from Deir al-Balah amidst ongoing Israeli bombings. The rescinding of her award
underscores the broader issue of the global media's complicity in silencing
Palestinian journalists, who face both physical and systematic intimidation. It
is crucial that the international community stands in solidarity with
journalists like Hussaini, who risk their lives to report the truth.
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