Renowed Palestinian journalist and activist, Bisan Owda, has regained access to her official TikTok account hours after the platform temporarily suspended it.
Owda, who has won an Emmy for her reporting on human rights issues, told Al Jazeera that although her account is now visible, users must type her full username to locate her profile accurately.
She also revealed that TikTok informed her that many previous posts were now considered “ineligible for recommendation,” restricting their visibility to the wider audience of the platform.
Owda expressed concern that if young people fail to access accurate information, they could be manipulated or exploited by misinformation, stressing the urgent need for truthful and independent reporting online.
The journalist criticized longstanding Israeli propaganda, which she says has shaped global perceptions of Palestine for 76 years, but noted that social media has provided a space for independent reporting to challenge official narratives.
The offcial account of Owda, which boasts 1.4 million followers, displayed her content until September 2025, after which no new posts were visible, prompting her to announce its deletion on Instagram as a permanent ban.
“it’s not restricted as every [other] time, it’s banned, forever”, Owda wrote on her official Instagram account earlier this week.
She linked the account suspension to statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who emphasized the strategic role of social media in influencing audiences abroad and securing political support in the United States.
Bisan Owda began her journalism career reporting on conflict zones and human rights violations, earning recognition for her fearless coverage and dedication to amplifying underrepresented voices.