NABLUS / PNN / Report by Hala Fares —

What began as a student project by Palestinian media students has grown into a youth-led training institution known as Shamma TV. Founded on volunteer work, Shamma TV provides journalism and media students from Palestinian universities with hands-on experience and practical skills to help them integrate into the media job market. Its mission is rooted in producing real-life, socially driven media content that serves the community and reflects the voices of young Palestinians.

A Student Initiative Turned into a Training Platform

Editor-in-Chief Laith Hassoun explains that Shamma TV originated as a student initiative inspired by the challenges media students faced in finding practical training. The idea was to create a real working environment that would equip students with professional skills and produce tangible results they could use in their future careers.

Hassoun says the vision behind the platform was to form a “new youth army of journalism,” committed to telling stories and producing programs that reflect young people’s realities and defend their rights. “We believe in truth and accuracy above speed,” he notes. “We don’t compromise on professional standards, human rights principles, or the values of our society. We uphold freedom of expression while respecting religion, customs, traditions, and minorities.”

He adds that Shamma TV’s goal is to become an innovative, youth-driven hub that mirrors the aspirations of Palestinian youth in the digital age. “Our message relies heavily on young people’s potential. We aim to inspire them through creative, digital storytelling that promotes dialogue across cultures.”

From a Volunteer Group to an Expanding Institution

Hassoun recalls that Shamma TV started as a group of volunteers before receiving its first institutional backing from An-Najah Satellite Channel at An-Najah National University in Nablus. “When they saw our students’ commitment and tangible outcomes, they believed in the idea,” he says. “That support helped us expand beyond the university. Today, we have many student volunteers and trainees from different parts of Palestine.”

Volunteering as a Tool to Overcome Challenges

Like many grassroots initiatives, Shamma TV faced significant challenges at the beginning. “We lacked management experience,” Hassoun admits. “But through persistence and practice, we learned the skills needed to keep the project running.”

The political situation also posed difficulties. Frequent Israeli military closures and checkpoints across the West Bank hindered student movement, particularly after the Israeli war on Gaza in October 2023. “Our teams in Ramallah, for example, often struggled to reach Nablus for filming or training,” he explains. “Now, the situation has slightly improved.”

Purposeful Content and Diverse Coverage

Volunteers at Shamma TV produce a variety of content, from social and satirical reports to inspiring human stories. Initially, their productions focused on humorous commentaries on daily issues, but after the Gaza war began, their coverage shifted toward stories of creativity and resilience amid crisis.

“We decided to focus on hope,” says Hassoun. “Our reports highlight people who turn hardship into opportunity.” Among the stories they produced is one about a man who converted his small tuk-tuk vehicle into a mobile grocery store, delivering goods to people’s homes. Another features a high-achieving student who could not afford university tuition and began selling vegetables to save for his studies. “Such stories show how Palestinians continue to innovate despite their circumstances,” Hassoun explains.

He stresses that mainstream and partisan media rarely give space to such grassroots stories. “That’s why we exist — to spotlight real people and their everyday struggles.”

Looking Ahead: A Five-Year Vision

Hassoun and his team envision Shamma TV as a cornerstone for youth media over the next five years. Their aim is to attract more young creators and empower them to produce meaningful, community-oriented content.

“No matter how difficult the political and social reality becomes, young people must keep believing in their ideas,” he says. “Every achievement begins with an idea — and faith in what you do.”

Volunteers Share Their Experience

Volunteer Mohammad Hassoun says he first learned about Shamma TV at university and was inspired by its student-led model. “It develops our ideas and skills through hands-on experience,” he explains. “We learn how to turn our thoughts into real media productions that serve society.”

He encourages other young people to volunteer and stay committed to their goals. “We started as a volunteer-based training initiative,” he says, “but we dream of turning Shamma TV into a national platform that amplifies youth voices and creativity — hopefully within the next five years.”

This story was produced as part of the Qarib Programme, implemented by CFI – the French Media Development Agency, and funded by the French Development Agency (AFD).