It has become a ritual. Every morning, when the Internet network is not cut and when he is not forced to flee with his family from the advances of the Israeli army, Rami Abou Jamous posts two messages on “Gaza. Vie”, the WhatsApp group that he shares with more than 150 French-speaking journalists and humanitarians: “Hello friends” et “Still alive”. When the Gazan reporter is slow to signal, to respond to “Hello Rummy” of subscribers to this valuable information channel, concern is skyrocketing. And when, after a few hours of unbearable silence, the two favorite messages light up on the smartphone screens, the application resonates with an immense “phew” of digital relief.
Saturday, October 12, thunderous applause rang out over the group. The 31e edition of the Bayeux Calvados-Normandie prize for war correspondents awarded Rami Abou Jamous no less than three awards: the written press prize for the site Orient 21the large format television price for BFM-TV, and the price West France-Jean Marin. A “grand slam”, never seen before in the history of this event, which distinguishes the stubborn work accomplished by this 46-year-old Palestinian, despite the war which is devouring the Gaza Strip: his logbook, published by Orient 21an online magazine devoted to news from the Arab world, and its television reports, broadcast on several French channels.
By honoring Rami Abou Jamous, the Bayeux Prize also salutes the courage and resilience of all media professionals in Gaza, a profession bled dry. In one year, more than 130 journalists have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including more than 30 while doing their job, according to the NGO Reporters Without Borders.
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“Information is me too”
On the WhatsApp group, after the morning ritual, Rami Abou Jamous continues with the news of the night. An invariably depressing account, woven from bombings, videos of mutilated children and forced displacement. At regular intervals during the day, he posts press releases from Hamas or the Israeli army, answers questions from his followers, shares information or analysis in the form of a voice message. A work of monitoring and decryption, carried out with flawless precision and in a miraculously affable tone. It’s his trademark. If he gave his WhatsApp group, created in 2018, the name “Gaza. Life”, going against the images traditionally associated with this territory, it is to bear witness to the endurance of its inhabitants, their strength of soul.
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