Amanpour Debuts Pearl Film at KSG

CNN’s chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour introduced a new HBO documentary to a packed John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum last night, describing the film as a reflection of the violent polarization of the world today.

Amanpour introduced the documentary, “Journalist & the Jihadi: The Murder of Daniel Pearl,” saying that the refusal of both politicians and the general public to believe journalists’ reports on the war in Iraq is a dangerous “denial of reality.” The film, which is directed and produced by Ahmed Jamal and narrated by Amanpour, follows the story of slain Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl before and after his 2002 kidnapping by Omar Sheikh and other Islamic extremists.

Amanpour said she hopes that the film will give the public a better understanding of what happened to Pearl and what is still happening to journalists today. Three years after the kidnapping, there is a “hijacking of public debate and the lessening of the middle ground,” she said.

“Truth now comes at a physical and intellectual cost,” Amanpour added. “It is now difficult to pursue rigorous reporting.”

“People like Daniel Pearl gave journalism a good name. He was doing something important,” she said.

Amanpour’s appearance at the IOP was an inspiration to many, including Kenneth D. Schultz ’07.

“I have a tremendous opinion of Christiane Amanpour,” Schultz said. “She’s one of the great international journalists. The opportunity to see her was a special privilege. She’s one of the most articulate people in the news world, spreading knowledge and understanding.”

IOP Fellow Christina Martin said that Amanpour “brings a powerful message. She highlights the service and role of journalism.” Having Amanpour narrate the documentary adds “clout and credence to the powerful story of Daniel Pearl,” she said.

“It’s one thing to know someone through a TV. It’s entirely different to meet someone through a 3D forum. It’s virtual reality versus reality,” she added.

Following the screening was a discussion featuring Jamal, director and producer of the film; Fred Wellman, a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army; and Alex Jones, director of the Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics, and Public Policy.

The documentary will air on HBO on Oct. 10, which would have been Daniel Pearl’s 43rd birthday.