IWMF revokes award from Palestinian journalist amid US right-wing pressure
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The International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) rescinded the 2024 Courage in Journalism Award bestowed upon the Palestinian journalist Maha Hussaini after the right-wing groups and publications in the United States raised concerns, accusing Hussaini of being a “Hamas sympathizer” and “anti-Semite,” based on her past social media posts.
Hussaini, known for her reporting from the Gaza Strip amidst ongoing Israeli attacks, responded to the IWMF’s decision, saying that her social media posts detail her experiences living under Israeli occupation and express support for resistance efforts.
Her work includes impactful stories such as the challenges of women giving birth at home in Gaza and the harrowing account of a young girl carrying her paralyzed brother to safety during bombings. These stories, highlighting the human side of the conflict, were initially lauded by the IWMF when they announced her as one of three recipients of the Courage in Journalism Awards on June 10.
However, on June 19, the IWMF issued a statement explaining their decision to revoke the award. They cited newly discovered comments made by Hussaini that they felt contradicted the organization’s values. The IWMF emphasized their commitment to integrity and opposition to intolerance, stating that it could not support views that did not align with these principles.
She criticized the IWMF for yielding to external pressure, which she argued undermined the very courage they had intended to honour. Hussaini emphasized the risks faced by Palestinian journalists, who often endure physical and moral attacks aimed at silencing them and perpetuating bias in global media.
She stressed that her work was driven by the need to highlight the suffering of Palestinians and combat the pressures exerted by Israeli occupation supporters.
Hussaini’s statement also highlighted the broader implications of the IWMF’s decision, suggesting that it could further endanger journalists in Gaza. The region, already devastated by ongoing conflict, has seen the deaths of over 150 journalists since October 7, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
Journalists in Gaza face extreme risks, including airstrikes, disrupted communications, and supply shortages, making it increasingly difficult to document the situation.
David Hearst, editor-in-chief of Middle East Eye, where Hussaini contributes, condemned the IWMF’s decision. He argued that rescinding the award compromised Hussaini’s safety and integrity as an independent journalist. Hearst called for the IWMF to reflect on their responsibility towards journalists, particularly those working in conflict zones.
