Obituary: journalist and filmmaker John Pilger

373 words, 2 minutes read time.

John Pilger was an Australian journalist and documentary filmmaker who passed away on December 30, 2023, at the age of 84   . He was a renowned social activist and a strong critic of western foreign policy. He was known for his uncompromising articles and television documentaries that covered diverse issues including China, Palestine, and Indigenous Australians .

John Pilger was born in Sydney, Australia, in 1939. He began his career as a journalist in the early 1960s and quickly gained a reputation for his investigative reporting and his commitment to social justice . He worked for several newspapers and magazines in Australia before moving to London in 1962, where he began working for the Daily Mirror .

Throughout his career, John Pilger was a vocal critic of western foreign policy and was known for his uncompromising stance on issues such as the Vietnam War, the Iraq War, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict . He was also a strong advocate for Indigenous Australians and was vocal about his native country’s treatment of its Indigenous population  .

John Pilger’s creative output often dealt with social and economic themes, and he was known for his ability to expose the injustices of the world through his work . He produced over 60 documentaries during his career, many of which were broadcast on British television . His documentaries covered a wide range of topics, including the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia, the plight of the Palestinians, and the impact of globalization on the developing world .

John Pilger was the recipient of numerous awards throughout his career, including the Sydney Peace Prize, the Martha Gellhorn Prize for Journalism, and the International Reporter of the Year award . He was also awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Sydney in recognition of his contribution to journalism and social justice .In conclusion, John Pilger was a renowned journalist and documentary filmmaker who dedicated his life to social justice and exposing the injustices of the world. His creative output dealt with social and economic themes, and he was known for his ability to give a voice to people and causes ignored by the mainstream media and those in power. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of journalists and social activists around the world .