John Pilger, Australia-born journalist and filmmaker identified for protecting Cambodia, dies at 84

LONDON — John Pilger, an Australia-born journalist and documentary filmmaker identified for his protection of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, has died, his household mentioned Sunday. He was 84.

A press release from his household, posted on X, previously Twitter, mentioned Pilger died on Saturday in London.

“His journalism and documentaries were celebrated around the world, but to his family he was simply the most amazing and loved dad, grandad and partner,” the assertion mentioned.

Pilger, who has been based mostly in Britain since 1962, labored for Britain’s left-leaning Daily Mirror newspaper, broadcaster ITV’s investigative program “World In Action” and for the Reuters information company.

He received an International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences award for his 1979 movie “Year Zero: The Silent Death Of Cambodia,” which revealed the extent of the Khmer Rouge’s atrocities. He adopted that with a 1990 documentary titled “Cambodia: The Betrayal,” which examined worldwide complicity within the Khmer Rouge remaining a menace.

He additionally received popularity of a 1974 documentary wanting into the marketing campaign for compensation for youngsters after issues had been raised about start defects when expectant moms took the drug Thalidomide.

Pilger was identified for his opposition to American and British international coverage, and he was additionally extremely crucial of Australia’s therapy of its Indigenous inhabitants.

In more moderen years, he campaigned for the discharge of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who has fought a prolonged battle towards extradition to the United States.

Kevin Lygo, managing director of media and leisure at ITV, described Pilger as “a giant of campaigning journalism” who supplied viewers a degree of research and opinion that was uncommon in mainstream tv.

“He had a clear, distinctive editorial voice which he used to great effect throughout his distinguished filmmaking career. His documentaries were engaging, challenging and always very watchable,” Lygo mentioned.

“He eschewed comfortable consensus and instead offered a radical, alternative approach on current affairs and a platform for dissenting voices over 50 years,” he added.