Esteemed Australian journalist and Palestine supporter John Pilger, celebrated for his impactful journalism and documentaries, has passed away at the age of 84, his family announced today on X.
Pilger, born in 1939 in Bondi, New South Wales, Australia, and residing predominantly in London since the 1960s, left an indelible mark on the world of journalism.
His family shared the news of his passing, stating, “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. Rest In Peace.”
During his illustrious career, Pilger served as a foreign correspondent and filmmaker for various news networks, including Reuters, earning numerous awards for his films.
Notably, he was named journalist of the year in 1967 and 1979. His extensive coverage included conflicts in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Bangladesh.
Pilger was recognized for his outspoken views, particularly regarding Israel’s occupation of Palestine, critiquing western foreign policy, and shedding light on Australia’s treatment of indigenous people.
In 1977, he produced the documentary “Palestine Is Still the Issue,” revisiting the theme in 2002 with a film of the same title, which earned a Bafta award nomination.
In one of his posts on X during the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza, he emphasized the Palestinians’ right to resist, challenging the notion of their resistance being labeled as “unprovoked.”
Pilger’s dedication to exposing truths extended beyond his documentaries. In a 2017 article echoing the sentiments of his earlier work, he wrote, “When the Palestinians rise again, as they will, they may not succeed at first—but they will eventually if we understand that they are us, and we are them.”
John Pilger’s legacy remains imprinted on the global journalistic landscape, leaving an enduring impact on those who value the pursuit of truth and justice.
