Mohammed al Kahlout, a journalist from Gaza, won the 2022 TANDEM Media Awards in the Student/Journalist category alongside Mohammed Hasan al-Rifai for their documentary “Gaza and Idlib,” which shed light on projects supporting children through education and psychological care in conflict zones. Now a professional journalist, he covered the war in Gaza, where he lost his home. Al Kahlout reflects on the power of storytelling, the role of journalism in challenging dominant narratives, and the importance of holding on to hope in the darkest of times.

What encouraged you to apply to TANDEM Media Awards and what does winning this award mean to you, both professionally and personally?

What encouraged me to apply was my belief in the power of cross-border collaboration, especially when it comes to telling stories that deeply touch people’s lives. Awards that celebrate partnership and narrative diversity, as TANDEM does, create a rare space for journalists to transcend the boundaries of language and geography. Winning this award felt like recognition that human-centered stories still resonate, even amidst the noise of fast-paced headlines. Professionally, it gave me a boost to keep pursuing in-depth journalism. I wasn’t able to attend the award ceremony due to circumstances beyond my control. But the physical absence didn’t stop me from feeling the moment. When the results were announced and I received congratulations from colleagues, I felt like I was part of the ceremony from afar. The award arrived weeks later, but I lost it after our house in northern Gaza was destroyed during this war. 

How does your journalistic work contribute to challenging dominant narratives or driving change?

In every story, I try to ask more questions than offer ready-made answers. Many dominant narratives are built on oversimplifications or repeated stereotypes. Through human stories and in-depth reporting, I aim to present different angles that highlight contradictions and restore people’s voices, voices that are often silenced. One of the most powerful moments for me as a journalist and storyteller was during this war, while working on a report on a family displaced by bombing. The mother was trying to create a sense of comfort for her children inside a temporary tent, using stories and laughter. I saw deep fear in her eyes, but it was masked by incredible strength. That moment made me realize how journalism is about documenting human dignity and resilience in the most trying moments.

What advice would you give to young journalists, especially those working in difficult or conflict-affected environments in the region?
I would tell them: never compromise your humanity for the sake of a “scoop,” and don’t let fear silence your voice. Conflicts try to reduce people to numbers or sides, but it’s the journalist’s role to remind the world that behind every number, there is a life. And most importantly, never lose hope; even in the darkest of times, words still have the power to make a difference.