Reporting Genocide: The Journalists' Perspective
Friday, September 13 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
In a world where truth is often the first casualty of war, journalism stands as a critical line of defense against the suppression of facts. At least 100 journalists have been targeted and killed since the start of the genocide— an alarming and tragic testament to the dangers faced by those who dare to report the truth in Gaza. In the United States, journalists face significant challenges in overcoming censorship and disinformation. Al Jazeera Fault Lines’ Executive Producer, Laila Al-Arian, Said Arikat of Al-Quds Newspaper, and Ryan Grim of Drop Site News will join ADC’s Valentina Pereda to discuss the unique challenges journalists in Gaza and the United States face when reporting in a deeply censored and hostile environment.
Said Arikat is a Palestinian journalist and political analyst with decades of experience covering Middle East affairs and U.S. politics. He is best known for his work as the Washington Bureau Chief for the Jerusalem-based newspaper Al-Quds. Arikat is a respected voice in the press community and has been a key figure in shaping an understanding of Palestinian perspectives within the U.S. media. He is particularly known for regularly attending and asking hard-hitting questions at the U.S. State Department’s daily briefings.
In addition to his journalism career, Arikat teaches as an adjunct professor at American University and from 2005 to 2010, served as the spokesperson for the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq. Arikat was the 2023 recipient of ADC’s Courage in Journalism award, distinguishing his outstanding courage, strength, and determination in his work and position as a role model for others in the industry.
Laila Al-Arian is a Washington DC-based journalist and the executive producer of Fault Lines, an award-winning current affairs program on Al Jazeera English. She began her time on the program as a producer, making documentaries on subjects ranging from the Trump administration’s Muslim ban to the impact of the heroin epidemic on children and an investigation into factory conditions producing garments for Walmart and Gap in Bangladesh. Most recently, she was the executive producer and co-writer of “The Night Won’t End: Biden’s War on Gaza,” a feature-length documentary produced by Al Jazeera English. She has been honored with two News and Documentary Emmys for her work, a Peabody, George Polk, Robert F Kennedy Award in journalism, and an Overseas Press Club award. She has been nominated for 19 News and Documentary Emmys.
Prior to joining Fault Lines, Laila worked for the news department at Al Jazeera English, covering stories such as Guantanamo Bay’s youngest detainee and the resettlement of Iraqi refugees in the U.S. She received a BA in English literature from Georgetown University and an M.S. from Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism. Her work has appeared in The Nation, Salon, The Independent, and other publications, and she is co-author of the book Collateral Damage: America’s War Against Iraqi Civilians.
Ryan Grim is an influential journalist, co-founder of Drop Site News, and host of the podcast Deconstructed. Previously serving as D.C. Bureau Chief for The Intercept and Washington bureau chief for HuffPost, Grim has led award-winning investigative teams, including one that won a Pulitzer Prize and a Polk Award for a groundbreaking project on heroin treatment. He is also a co-host of the show Counter Points and has authored three books, with his latest, The Squad: AOC and the Hope of a Political Revolution, published in December 2023. Grim is recognized for his direct and challenging questions to State
Department officials regarding Israeli military actions in the ongoing genocide.
Valentina Pereda is a seasoned communications professional with over a decade of experience spanning campaign, nonprofit, and advocacy communications. She currently serves as the Acting Communications Director at the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC). Her experience spans from serving in President Barack Obama’s White House to reporting stories on Central American gangs, the U.S.- Mexico border, Venezuela, and beyond as a freelance video journalist for major US and international networks.
Valentina has led numerous advocacy campaigns, including co-authoring a ceasefire letter to gather over 300 alumni of the Obama/Biden administration to urge them to call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Additionally, she co-founded the Venezuelan Diaspora Project, an effort to elevate the visibility of diasporic artists and journalists.
Valentina has also served as Communications Director for Michelle Obama’s When We All Vote, where she developed and executed communications campaigns focused on voting rights and voter education. Her work has been featured by outlets such as The San Francisco Giants, The Economist, The Intercept, and CBS News. Earlier in her career, Valentina served as the Florida Press Secretary for Hillary for America during the 2016 campaign, and held roles as the Deputy Director of Hispanic Media at The White House during President Barack Obama, and other key communications positions within his administration and campaign.
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