Journalists live day to day, risking their lives to cover stories.In 1992, an estimate of 1121 people were killed on the line of duty. One such was Dan Eldon. Like other reporters before him, he wanted to report what was happening in the world. He was a photojournalist working on covering in Somalia. But like others before him, died while covering a story.
Des Wright and Carlos Mavroleon discuss the jobs of journalists. Mavroleon states that he feels like a vulture, photographing of people suffering but there is a need of telling the story to the world and try to make a difference. Amy Eldon concludes the documentary by stating, "I believe more than ever that what we do matters." ( Dying to Tell the Story) She believes that the profession of Journalism is important. Martin Bell, a distinguished BBC correspondent, states "They’re watching the explosions, I’m counting the explosions, and it’s made no difference at all." ( Dying to Tell the Story) He believes that reporters such feel deattach to situations because by being attach, it will not make a difference at all to the world . Another journalist Peter Magubane,states that, “ If you don’t forgive, you don’t portray your profession, getting involved emotionally,you are not able to do your job.” ( Dying to Tell the Story) He believes that emotions will affect how a journalist does their job and by getting involved with the conflict, the journalist is not able to do their job.
But unlike Bell CNN correspondent Christiane Amanpour, feels that it is sometimes appropriate to feel detach. She deals with the horrors she’s face by "putting that energy into telling the story."( Dying to Tell the Story) British photographer Don McCullin,feels both physically and emotionally wounded by the wars he covered. He ignores the concept of detachment, saying, "There’s no way you can hide behind the camera because … when you’re looking through the camera you feel even closer to the person you’re photographing…." ( Dying to Tell the Story) McCullen believes that journalists can feel the the terror and obstacles that people in war conflicts.
Cameraman since 1982, Shafi Mohammad had wanted to go to Africa to help the innocent victims trapped in the war. He believed that the world needed to see the Somali people suffering. Shafi along with Amy, had gone back to Mogadishu to show her where her brother died and to tell her the whole story. A convoy of journalists went to see and report of a recent bombing of nearby bombing, with the Reuters car in the lead. Upon arriving near the airport, Shafi and Dan left the vehicle and went to investigate, until a mob of angry people began to stone them. Dan Eldon and three other journalists were stone to death. Shafi was the only survivor. Prior to those deaths, Shafi is haunted of that day by hearing Dan saying “ Let’s get out of here”( Dying to Tell the Story)
Dying to Tell the Story is filled with film clips and quotes of Dan at work in Africa and throughout the documentary, Dan’s love for his profession and people of somalia was obviously shown through his work . For Amy, she begins to have a better understanding of the duties and why journalists have to go through it. Amy have also now have a sense of closure and peace over the death of her brother.
I didn't particularly like this project. The only reason is because there were many others before who died to tell the story and I never knew why this guy in particular was so special. Sure, he took a dangerous job of taking photos during conflict but many have done the exact things he did.
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