Mohammed R. Mhawish Receives Neal Conan Prize for Outstanding Journalism in 2025
On November 22, 2025, the prestigious Neal Conan Prize for Outstanding Journalism was awarded to Mohammed R. Mhawish during a heartfelt ceremony in New York. This annual award, accompanied by a substantial $50,000 prize, recognizes Mhawish's remarkable reporting on the life of civilians amidst the devastating Gaza war and the unparalleled risks faced by journalists covering this conflict.
Mhawish's gripping accounts have appeared in prominent publications including The New Yorker, The New York Times, and This American Life. His reporting is commended for its accuracy, thorough fact-checking despite challenging conditions, and deep human compassion. During the awards ceremony, Mhawish joined previous winners Jane Ferguson and Hind Hassan for a panel discussion moderated by Bruce Shapiro from the Global Center for Journalism and Trauma. He shared his harrowing experience of surviving a targeted attack by the Israeli military, recounting being buried under rubble for hours after a strike destroyed his family home, tragically taking the lives of his relatives.
The last two years have become the deadliest period for journalists globally, with over 249 Palestinian journalists killed since October 2023, surpassing total casualties from World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Yugoslav Wars, and post-9/11 conflicts in Afghanistan. More than fifty of Mhawish's colleagues lost their lives while reporting, seeking refuge, or attempting to escape the violence. Those numbers underline a single conflict resulting in more journalist fatalities than some of history's most significant and extended wars.
Hind Hassan, the 2024 Neal Conan Prize winner, highlighted the systemic dehumanization, denial, and targeted assaults on Palestinian journalists, noting, ‘They continue to speak the truth while the world debates their existence, professionalism, and right to safety.’ Jane Ferguson, the inaugural winner, added that the destruction in Gaza is unlike anything she has witnessed in twenty years of covering war zones, characterized by its unprecedented scale, civilian death toll, and the collapse of fundamental protections for journalists and ordinary families.
Mhawish expressed his gratitude during his acceptance speech, stating, ‘Journalism in Gaza was never a career choice for me. It became a lifeline, a way to prevent the erasure of my community, a means to say we were here. This is what happened, remember us.’ The advisory committee recognized Mhawish's work as one of the most crucial and courageous records of civilian life during the Gaza war.
The Neal Conan Prize, awarded for the third consecutive year, aims to support serious human-centric journalism amid a historical decline in the news industry. In light of the cancellation of the Talk of the Nation program and the broader industry's trend, notable writer Gretel Ehrlich reflected on how 'Serious journalism doesn't yield the same financial returns as entertainment. This hints at the direction journalism is headed.' To support vital journalism, visit nealconanprize.org to learn more about the award, nominate outstanding journalists, and contribute to preserving serious reporting for future generations.
In a documentary short, Mhawish discusses his profound obligation to chronicle the realities faced by his fellow Gazans, despite the immense risks associated with such work, reflecting on his commitment to ensuring their stories are heard worldwide.
Mhawish's gripping accounts have appeared in prominent publications including The New Yorker, The New York Times, and This American Life. His reporting is commended for its accuracy, thorough fact-checking despite challenging conditions, and deep human compassion. During the awards ceremony, Mhawish joined previous winners Jane Ferguson and Hind Hassan for a panel discussion moderated by Bruce Shapiro from the Global Center for Journalism and Trauma. He shared his harrowing experience of surviving a targeted attack by the Israeli military, recounting being buried under rubble for hours after a strike destroyed his family home, tragically taking the lives of his relatives.
The last two years have become the deadliest period for journalists globally, with over 249 Palestinian journalists killed since October 2023, surpassing total casualties from World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Yugoslav Wars, and post-9/11 conflicts in Afghanistan. More than fifty of Mhawish's colleagues lost their lives while reporting, seeking refuge, or attempting to escape the violence. Those numbers underline a single conflict resulting in more journalist fatalities than some of history's most significant and extended wars.
Hind Hassan, the 2024 Neal Conan Prize winner, highlighted the systemic dehumanization, denial, and targeted assaults on Palestinian journalists, noting, ‘They continue to speak the truth while the world debates their existence, professionalism, and right to safety.’ Jane Ferguson, the inaugural winner, added that the destruction in Gaza is unlike anything she has witnessed in twenty years of covering war zones, characterized by its unprecedented scale, civilian death toll, and the collapse of fundamental protections for journalists and ordinary families.
Mhawish expressed his gratitude during his acceptance speech, stating, ‘Journalism in Gaza was never a career choice for me. It became a lifeline, a way to prevent the erasure of my community, a means to say we were here. This is what happened, remember us.’ The advisory committee recognized Mhawish's work as one of the most crucial and courageous records of civilian life during the Gaza war.
The Neal Conan Prize, awarded for the third consecutive year, aims to support serious human-centric journalism amid a historical decline in the news industry. In light of the cancellation of the Talk of the Nation program and the broader industry's trend, notable writer Gretel Ehrlich reflected on how 'Serious journalism doesn't yield the same financial returns as entertainment. This hints at the direction journalism is headed.' To support vital journalism, visit nealconanprize.org to learn more about the award, nominate outstanding journalists, and contribute to preserving serious reporting for future generations.
In a documentary short, Mhawish discusses his profound obligation to chronicle the realities faced by his fellow Gazans, despite the immense risks associated with such work, reflecting on his commitment to ensuring their stories are heard worldwide.
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