Al Jazeera journalist Josh Rushing delivered an emotional speech after winning an Emmy Award, dedicating the honour to journalists who have been killed in conflict zones and warning that “these are dark days for journalism.”

Rushing, a former US Marine Corps spokesperson turned war correspondent, accepted the award for Outstanding War or Violence Conflict Coverage at the 2026 News and Documentary Emmy Awards.

The recognition went to Al Jazeera’s Fault Lines documentary Kids Under Fire, which examines the impact of war on children in conflict-affected regions.

During his acceptance remarks, Rushing paid tribute to journalists and media workers who lost their lives while reporting from war zones, particularly in Gaza, saying their work and sacrifice should not be forgotten.

While accepting the award in New York, he said the irony of receiving recognition “in the very country that enables that genocide” should not be lost.

Rushing dedicated the award to the 11 Al Jazeera journalists killed by Israel since October 7 and the 270 journalists killed in Gaza since the war began.

His remarks struck a sombre tone, reflecting growing concerns within the journalism community about the risks faced by reporters covering active conflicts.

He described the current global media environment as increasingly hostile, where reporting from war zones has become more dangerous and politically fraught.

“These are dark days for journalism,” he said, urging greater recognition of the risks faced by correspondents and producers working in conflict coverage.

The award-winning documentary Kids Under Fire forms part of Al Jazeera’s Fault Lines investigative series, which focuses on underreported global conflicts and their human impact.

The programme has previously received international acclaim for its in-depth reporting on issues ranging from war crimes to humanitarian crises.

The Emmy win adds to a growing list of accolades for the Fault Lines team, which has been recognised for its investigative storytelling and long-form reporting on global conflict zones.