"The Famine Scam" part 6 of 6

"Niger is dying, and the world is merely watching" This dramatic message was heard all over the world in July 2005. News media all over the world reported the famine in the worlds poorest country. Why would anyone doubt it when the UN, the BBC and the big relief organisations reported of a famine in Niger, and that millions needed immediate relief? But what if this wasnt a famine? What if it was not free food that was the right medicine for the crisis in Niger? "The Famine Scam" is a controversial documentary which has won several awards, and was awarded third prize in the Monte Carlo TV festival in June 2008.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Famine
• Niger
• BBC
• MSF
• Jan Egeland
• UN
• TV2
• Norway
• Eden Foundation
• Garvi
• Hilary Andersson
• Doctors without borders
• aid
• relief
• hunger
• journalism
• Alex de Waal
• Per Christian Magnus
• Robert Reinlund

[mtlmuslimah]

@maremaris1979 This is a racist comment, it has nothing to do with skin colour, obviously these journalists used the story to bring attention to their "yellow journalism". Obviously, there is no food abundance in the region, they mainly survive through subsitence farming, which is really just a few meals away from starvation. It obviously wasn't the people of Niger who broke the story, it was a WHITE journalist who did something to advance their career! Did you actually watch the full report?

[b0b0maj0]

I'm not surprised that "journalists" don't let the truth get in the way of a good story. Or even that aid organisations immorally exploited this story, like religious organisations do. But I would have thought the UN would have had their shit together and actually have the information about a situation before they just fucking blindly go along for the ride.

I'm quite disillusioned.

[bouver]

..I think everyone does. But think of it like an SAT question.." A handout" is to "a poor" as "a billion dollars" is to " a millionaire"... Be honest, Im sure you have taken a handout and was glad.

[maremaris1979]

I believe this. Blacks love handouts if they can get them. I have been witness to it many times.

[MoOkS187]

dont know what to believe. Africans are obviously very resourceful, they survived for thousands of years in harsh conditions. Is it mainly the more westernised african communities that have forgoten their tribal hunting/gathering skills that are starving?

[aaron4820]

2:29.... disgusting, look at them all happy after they've "saved the world" sipping away their champagne in their dresses and suits.

thanks alot for doing this.

[astoni314]

The conclusion (part 6) to yet more 'news from nowhere' does not play on my machine. Who believes journalists and who believes gossip?

Plainly not at Harvard. Objective reporting would be a major breakthrough for the 21st century.

It would be nice to see an even wider perspective.

I think religious and charitable foundations can tweak facts to make grey seem black and white, the analogy applies to light only, not people.

A little enlightenment can go a long way. What do Jiga leaves taste like?