I was lucky enough to attend an advance private screening of the HBO documentary, "Reporter" featuring the New York Times op-ed columnist, Nicholas Kristof. Most of the film takes place following Kristof on assignment to The Democratic Republic of the Congo. He took with him one lucky teacher and a student to accompany him on his journey.
Not only should this be required viewing for every journalism student out there, but also once again to raise awareness to the atrocities still taking place in this conflict region.
To date, 5.4 million people have been killed in the Congo over the last decade, according to the website www.reporterthefilm.com. Kristof writes, and rewrites and rewrites again about the genocide taking place, because there is still not enough being done to stop it.
New York Times journalist Gail Collins says she admires how Kristof isn't afraid to be repetitive with his stories. To him, even though it's not "new" news, it's still happening. And until something changes, he will continue his reporting.
Kristof notes "psychic numbness"--a term referring to the lack of compassion--as the reason why people don't seem to care. He says in the film it's not visually gruesome enough to make the average reader care and do something to stop it. He says people are dying from starvation and disease and that isn't what grips your attention. But the truth of the matter is people are still dying in massive numbers. What he tries to do is seek out the most miserable, individual heart-wrenching stories to strike a chord with his readers.
In a particularly touching scene Kristof is interviewing warlord General Nkunda who admits there are no human rights, only "strong rights". The weak do no survive.
Actress Mia Farrow in the film says reading Kristof's column in the New York Times changed her life. She says, "With knowledge comes responsibility," and has been active ever since as a passionate spokesperson for the people of Darfur.
Kristof admits in the film he doesn't know what the future of journalism will be. He says it's expensive to send someone out there, but that's what needs to be done. If you want to report on what's happening you have to go out and find the stories.
"Reporter" will air on HBO in 2010.
