“A giant of journalism,” was the fitting tribute from Britain’s National Union of Journalists upon the passing of John Pilger in December 2023. This acknowledgment aptly captures the monumental impact of a man who dedicated his life to uncovering uncomfortable truths and giving voice to the voiceless.
John Pilger was more than just a journalist; he was a courageous filmmaker, a brilliant reporter, and a gifted writer whose words painted vivid pictures of the realities often ignored by mainstream media. His unique talent lay in his ability to “lift rocks,” to delve beneath the surface and expose the raw, often brutal, underbelly of power. Over six decades, through countless documentaries and articles, John Pilger became arguably the most crucial journalist of his generation, consistently challenging the narratives of the powerful.
From the battlefields of Vietnam to the apartheid regime of South Africa, from the killing fields of Cambodia to the occupied territories of Palestine, John Pilger‘s work fearlessly held governments accountable for their actions and abuses, particularly the United States, Britain, and Australia – nations often shielded from scrutiny in the West. He understood that true journalism demanded this accountability, a principle often betrayed by the media landscape he critiqued so fiercely.
John Pilger stood as a staunch advocate for the vulnerable and marginalized: the impoverished, asylum seekers, war victims, and Indigenous populations often rendered invisible in their own lands. He championed their causes, bringing their stories to the forefront and demanding recognition of their humanity.
A significant part of John Pilger‘s later work was dedicated to defending his friend Julian Assange. He tirelessly campaigned for Assange’s freedom, recognizing him as a symbol of the era’s defining conflict: the struggle between those who perpetrate or defend war crimes and those brave enough to expose them. John Pilger saw Assange’s persecution by the US as a direct assault on truth and journalistic integrity.
John Pilger’s films had a remarkable ability to penetrate global consciousness and ignite change. His 1994 documentary, Death of a Nation, exposing Indonesia’s brutal occupation of East Timor, became a landmark moment. It resonated deeply with the British public, becoming the highest-rated TV documentary in 15 years and generating an overwhelming public response that, according to East Timor’s first President, Jose Ramos-Horta, was “crucial” in achieving liberation and “saving countless lives.”
A decade later, Stealing A Nation further exemplified John Pilger’s commitment to uncovering hidden injustices. This film revealed the clandestine conspiracy between Britain and the US to forcibly remove the entire population of Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands to establish a military base. The film’s impact was recognized with a Royal Television Society award, further solidifying John Pilger’s reputation for impactful investigative journalism.
Despite his accolades and the profound impact of his work, John Pilger remained an outsider to the journalistic establishment. He deliberately distanced himself from the “elite club” of journalists who often prioritized access and complicity over truth-telling. John Pilger’s independence was his strength; he was a fierce critic of embedded journalism, choosing instead to be a voice for the disempowered and a relentless exposer of power’s excesses. His legacy serves as a powerful reminder of the vital role of independent, courageous journalism in holding power to account and speaking truth to power.
