Plestia Alaqad is an award-winning journalist and author who has emerged as a powerful voice in digital media.
She gained international recognition for her heartfelt, on-the-ground reporting during the genocide on Gaza, where her raw, personal storytelling brought global attention to the human impact of the violence.
She published her book The Eyes of Gaza in April 2025, that became an instant New York Times, Indie, San Francisco, and Boston Global Bestseller.
Now working in exile, Plestia continues to document history as it unfolds.
Encrypted apps like Signal and WhatsApp have become lifelines for journalists and citizen reporters in conflict zones, enabling secure, real-time reporting. But as nearly 75% of people now consume news via smartphones, and citizen journalism grows on platforms like X, the line between credible reporting and unverified content blurs. How can we better equip those on the frontlines to uphold truth in a decentralized, high-risk media environment?
Co-founder, The School of Hard Knocks
CEO, Whisper
Member, The European Parliament
Editor-in-Chief, Arab News
Founder & President, Cecilia Attias Foundation for Women
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