Since October 7th, I’ve been closely following Motaz Azaiza’s Instagram, watching his raw, unfiltered coverage of Gaza. His posts felt like a direct glimpse into life under siege, capturing the widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure, the grief of families mourning loved ones, and the resilience of people determined to survive despite the violent genocide. Seeing him in person at Northwestern felt surreal after following his work so closely. Hearing him speak about his experiences, the risks he’s taken, and his responsibility to tell the truth made me realize just how much one person with a camera can do.

One of the most striking moments in his talk was when he said, "I still continued taking photos even while I knew I was a target." His bravery highlights the dangers journalists face in Gaza, where at least 217 were killed between October 7, 2023, and December 25, 2024 (Hussein & Duggal, 2024). Knowing he was a target, Palestinian families were afraid to let him stay overnight, fearing their homes would be bombed just for sheltering him.

Also, another challenge Azaiza faced was the ethical dilemma of documenting tragedy. He tried to photograph victims to spread awareness, but some families refused, not wanting their loved ones' suffering publicized. When his own family passed away, he chose not to take photos, feeling conflicted and hypocritical about capturing others' grief while shielding his own.

Azaiza’s talk resonated deeply with the themes explored in my Media and Politics Minor courses, particularly in how media shapes political discourse, influences public perception, and holds power to account. In Understanding Media Contexts, we analyzed how media representations influence narratives, particularly in conflict zones. Hollywood and Western media often distort the Palestinian struggle, portraying Palestinians as aggressors while depicting Israel as a democracy under siege. This bias portrays Palestinians as violent while justifying Israel’s actions, ignoring their struggle against occupation.

Azaiza’s photography challenges this dominant narrative by offering an unfiltered, firsthand perspective from within Gaza. His work exposes the destruction, grief, and resilience of Palestinians, forcing the world to confront realities often omitted or distorted by mainstream western media. 

Another course that came to mind was Media Law and Ethics, where we learned about journalists' responsibility to be unbiased, fair, and truthful. Azaiza’s raw, unfiltered photos contrast sharply with CNN’s selective reporting, which often distorts narratives, downplays Palestinian suffering, and justifies Israeli actions, highlighting the divide between truth and propaganda (Al Jazeera Journalism Review, 2024).

Azaiza’s talk was truly inspiring, reinforcing the power of journalism in exposing truth and resisting oppression. His bravery and dedication showed me how the media shapes narratives and holds power to account. I left the lecture with a deeper appreciation for ethical journalism and its role in fighting injustice. It also connected to many courses I took for my Media and Politics Minor, especially as, after October 7th, many professors used this genocide as a case study in their classes.

Reference

Al Jazeera Journalism Review. (2024). Palestinian journalists under attack: The erasure of truth in Gaza. Al Jazeera Media Institute.https://institute.aljazeera.net/en/ajr/article/2870

Hussein, M. A., & Duggal, H. (2024, December 31). Know their names: The Palestinian journalists killed by Israel in Gaza. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/features/longform/2024/12/31/know-their-names-the-palestinian-journalists-killed-by-israel-in-gaza#