Delving into the role of media and journalists, the documentary is an excellent record of where they have failed to do their job and why. Taking into account, the Iraq and Afghanistan war and the Israel/ Palestine conflict, John Pilger explores how the flow of information functions during the war. Bringing to light, the side of these wars which remain unseen, he attempts to raise some vital questions.
Though the documentary itself deals with only 3 specific wars, it raises questions relevant for journalists across the globe. The one sided flow of information from authorities to news rooms and journalists becomes one of the main issues discussed. How do journalists counter this? How can they reveal the other side without endangering themselves - are the questions we are left asking.
With inputs from people who have seen and known the reality of these wars, the documentary provides substantial backing to the claims it makes. It questions ‘embedding’ of journalists in war zones and what effect this has on their covering. It works towards making its viewers acknowledge that media is not always the bearer of the truth. The documentary is both a critique of media houses and personnel who fall prey to or willingly propagate incomplete information, as well as an encouragement to journalist to lead by example.
He places the role of media during war times under scrutiny. During his interviews, he tries to gather why war time journalism falls short of expectations. Despite the state pressure, the documentary doesn’t absolve those who failed. The stark reality of wars and what the people were shown stands proof of erroneous journalism. The documentary works as an eye opener for the audience and pushes them into being critical of the news they receive and not take it at face value. While it brings to focus, the tremendous loss of life and property because of these baseless wars, the main theme remains the role of media during such trying times.
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