Clarissa Ward's journalism award reignites debate over Syria, Gaza reporting
The award, presented by the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA), recognizes Ward's 'exceptional courage and commitment to uncovering truth in some of the world's most dangerous regions.' However, the accolade has sparked heated debate, with critics on X and various media outlets questioning the authenticity of some of her recent reports, particularly those from Syria and Gaza.
Controversy over Syria report
Ward's recent reporting has come under intense scrutiny, particularly a December 2024 CNN segment from a Syrian prison in Damascus. The viral report depicted Ward and her team, accompanied by a Syrian rebel, discovering a man who claimed to be a civilian prisoner locked in a cell for three months. Ward described the moment as 'one of the most extraordinary' in her career. However, a fact-checking organization, Verify-Sy, later revealed the man was Salama Mohammad Salama, a first lieutenant in Syrian Air Force Intelligence, notorious for extortion, torture, and other abuses in Homs.
CNN issued a statement acknowledging the error, confirming Salama's identity and noting that the network had been misled by his false claims. Ward herself addressed the controversy on X, stating, 'We can confirm the real identity of the man from our story last Wednesday as Salama Mohammed Salama.' Critics, however, accused Ward and CNN of failing to verify the story adequately before airing it, with some alleging the scene was staged for dramatic effect.
Allegations of fabricated Gaza coverage
Ward's reporting from Gaza has also drawn criticism, with some accusing her of sensationalism and bias. A 2024 report, in which she described coming under fire from Hamas, was labeled by detractors as exaggerated or fabricated to bolster support for 'Israel''s actions in Gaza.
Posts on X commented on Ward's award, saying: 'This is the reality of Western journalism.'
This is the reality of Western journalism
Clarissa Ward, CNN's chief international correspondent, has been awarded the 2025 Daniel Pearl Award for Courage and Integrity in Journalism. pic.twitter.com/w5qMYLZWBs
— Inés El-Hajj (@InesHajj9) May 2, 2025
Another post highlighted this controversy on X, calling it 'insane' that Ward was awarded the Daniel Pearl Award for Courage and Integrity in Journalism and nominated for an Emmy just months after the incident, pointing to a lack of accountability in journalism.
In December, CNN put out a segment in which Clarissa Ward "discovered" an alleged Syrian detainee left behind after the fall of the regime.
He was not actually a detainee.
— Mai El-Sadany (@maitelsadany) May 2, 2025
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