Journalist Bisan Owda Reclaims Gaza-Based TikTok Account After Public Outcry

Palestinian Journalist Regains Access to TikTok Account After Brief Removal

Award-winning Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda has regained access to her TikTok account, one day after announcing that she had been banned from the platform. In a statement to Al Jazeera on Thursday, Owda attributed her reinstatement to international media attention and pressure from non-governmental organizations.

Owda’s TikTok account, which has 1.4 million followers, was previously inaccessible due to concerns over impersonation risk. However, following further review, the account has been reinstated and is now operating normally. Visitors and followers must now type Owda’s full username to access her content.

Al Jazeera was able to verify Owda’s TikTok account on Friday, although no new posts are visible from the Gaza-based journalist since September 2025. Owda gained recognition internationally for posting daily videos from the war-torn Palestinian territory, where she documented her experiences as a journalist.

The removal of Owda’s account came amid ongoing tensions in Gaza, including Israeli attacks and the killing of three Palestinian journalists last week. The Committee to Protect Journalists reports that at least 207 Palestinian journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza since October 2023.

TikTok has not commented on specific accounts, but a spokesperson stated that Owda’s account was “temporarily restricted” in September due to concerns over impersonation risk. The platform announced last week that it had completed a deal to establish a separate version of the platform in the United States, controlled by investment firms including several linked to President Donald Trump.

Owda’s account is now accessible again, although some of her video posts are no longer eligible for recommendation.

Source: Al Jazeera