United States Agency for Global Media
05/10/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/10/2024 14:07
Alhurra’s Gaza Team named Burke Award winners
Alhurra's Gaza Team named Burke Award winners
May 10, 2024
The United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) honored Alhurra Television's Gaza team at the 23rd annual David Burke Distinguished Journalism Awards. The dedicated team of journalists consists of correspondents Wesam Yasin and Saif Alswaitti and videographer/editor Amir Altorok.
When Hamas launched a surprise attack on October 7, 2023, Alhurra's team in Gaza went above and beyond to bring news from the front lines of Gaza. Their reporting was unwavering despite personal sacrifices and a challenging security situation. Beyond the news of the Israeli attacks on Hamas, these courageous journalists also told of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
"This is a powerful story impacting the region. Through Wesam, Saif and Amir's coverage, audiences across the region can witness and understand the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza. These extraordinary journalists not only report the difficulties they witnessed, but they also experience them firsthand each day. Their dedication and professionalism are inspiring," stated Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Inc. (MBN) Acting President/CEO Dr. Jeffrey Gedmin. MBN manages and oversees Alhurra Television.
The Gaza team sought out unique stories to tell their audiences, including spending a day with a first responder who was impassioned to help others with little regard for the risk to his own life. They reported on human traffickers who were exploiting citizens and demanding exorbitant sums to try and get people across the border and out of Gaza. They brought to light profiteers who were charging excessive prices for access to food and medicine. Wesam and Saif reported on the orphans who were casualties of the war and what was being done to help them.
The team highlighted the ingenious methods people used to survive in difficult situations, including one teenager nicknamed Newton, who figured out how to get lights into the displacement tents. They showed how people returned to using horses and donkeys for transportation and making bread in the streets for the entire community.
Earlier this week, the Pulitzer Board issued a special citation recognizing the courageous work of journalists covering the war in Gaza.
About MBN
MBN is non-profit corporate media outlet financed by the U.S. government through a grant from U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), an independent federal agency. The USAGM serves as a firewall to protect the professional independence and integrity of the broadcasters.