Student’s Syria documentary recognised by Amnesty

Amnesty International has recognised a Goldsmiths, University of London television journalism student from Syria for her documentary film about the ancient city of Palmyra and its destruction at the hands of ISIS.

Areej Zayat, who was brought up in Damascus, is a Chevening scholar at Goldsmiths who will be graduating with distinction from the MA in Television Journalism this December.

During an Easter break she went home to visit her parents, bought some filming equipment and, with a fixer, travelled to Palmyra, Syria, to record the city’s devastation.

Areej is a former presenter and editor at a television channel in Syria and is currently working at BBC Arabic in London on a placement.

She was part of the Goldsmiths team to receive the award for Best Newsday at the 2016 Broadcast Journalism Training Council awards, and was shortlisted by Amnesty in the student category of their Media Awards 2016.

Linda Lewis, programme leader for the MA Television Journalism, commented on Areej’s Amnesty Media Awards shortlisting in November: "I am absolutely delighted for Areej, a very talented and resourceful young film maker. She’s also proved herself to be an excellent studio presenter, and co-presented the edition of our weekly TV Newsday, which received the BJTC prize.

“Even getting to Goldsmiths was a massive achievement - she had to travel back and forth to Beirut four times to the British embassy in order to complete all the formalities for her visa, and to secure her well-deserved Chevening scholarship. 

“Once in London she threw herself into the course, making the very most of her time in the UK, always making a significant contribution to the wide variety of practical work our students undertake, always asking questions - the mark of a good journalist.”  

Areej adds: “I was in Damascus filming Easter celebrations when this news about Palmyra took me by surprise. I found myself in the right place at the right time, so I hopped on my first ride to Palmyra. 

“Only military troops and journalists were allowed into the city because the Russians were clearing landmines left by IS. It was still relatively dangerous, so I was escorted by a Syrian soldier who showed me around.

“I also had to be prepared to film within specific hours during the day in a place with no water or electricity or cell phone coverage. The conditions were tough. It was my first time making a film. There are so many things I wished I had filmed later. But I learnt a lot. And I'm really proud that the work paid off with my nomination at the Amnesty Media Awards. I would love to make more documentaries like these in the future.”

Amnesty International’s prestigious annual Media Awards are in their 25th year. From 200 entries, Areej was shortlisted for one of 10 prizes given to celebrate the best human rights reporting across all genres - broadcast, multimedia, print and photography.

“A sure sign of any healthy democracy is a fearless and inquiring press,” Amnesty International UK Director Kate Allen said.