Australian journalist and documentary filmmaker John Pilger stands outside the Ecuadorian embassy in London, June 22, 2012. File photo by Neil Hall/Portal
LONDON (AP) — John Pilger, an Australian-born journalist and documentary filmmaker known for his coverage of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, has died, his family said Sunday. He was 84.
A statement from his family posted on X, formerly Twitter, said Pilger died in London on Saturday.
“His journalism and documentaries were celebrated around the world, but to his family he was simply the greatest and most beloved father, grandfather and partner,” the statement said.
Pilger, who has lived in Britain since 1962, worked for the left-leaning British newspaper Daily Mirror, the ITV investigative program “World In Action” and the Portal news agency.
He won an International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences award for his 1979 film “Year Zero: The Silent Death Of Cambodia,” which revealed the extent of the Khmer Rouge's atrocities. He then made a 1990 documentary called Cambodia: The Betrayal, which examined international complicity in ensuring that the Khmer Rouge remained a threat.
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He also received recognition for a 1974 documentary that explored the campaign for compensation for children after concerns were raised about birth defects when expectant mothers took the drug thalidomide.
Pilger was known for his opposition to American and British foreign policy and was also highly critical of the treatment of Australia's indigenous population.
In recent years he has campaigned for the release of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who had waged a long battle against extradition to the US.
Kevin Lygo, ITV's managing director of media and entertainment, described Pilger as “a giant of campaign journalism” who offered viewers a level of analysis and opinion rare on mainstream television.
“He had a clear, distinctive editorial voice, which he used to great success throughout his distinguished filmmaking career. His documentaries were compelling, challenging and always worth watching,” said Lygo.
“He eschewed comfortable consensus and instead offered a radical, alternative approach to current affairs and a platform for dissenting voices spanning 50 years,” he added.
Left: Australian journalist and documentary filmmaker John Pilger stands outside the Ecuadorian embassy in London, June 22, 2012. File photo by Neil Hall/Portal