– Zaina Aman
Prominent Palestinian journalist Wael al-Dahdouh has been awarded the Courage Prize at the 32nd Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Press Freedom Awards. This prestigious honour is presented annually to journalists and media outlets that have made significant contributions to defending and promoting press freedom across the globe.
This year, 18 journalists, journalist teams, two media outlets, and five photojournalists from 22 countries were nominated. The RSF emphasised that the awards recognise the “courageous journalists who have made sharing reliable information their life struggle.”
Al-Dahdouh, who serves as the Gaza bureau chief for Al Jazeera, was recognised for his unwavering commitment to reporting despite the personal tragedies he has endured. In his acceptance message, he expressed his gratitude to RSF and dedicated the award to fellow journalists in Gaza. He highlighted the sacrifices made by journalists covering the war, including the exhaustion, fear, and loss they endured to ensure the world received accurate information from Gaza.
Al-Dahdouh’s resilience has been especially poignant as he continued his work after losing his wife, grandson, and three of his children – including his journalist son – during Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza. Despite these profound personal losses, he has remained committed to documenting the devastation in the region, embodying both courage and the fight for truth in the face of unimaginable hardship.
