Another very good documentary, The Agronomist (2004) is a profile of Jean Dominique, the Haitian journalist, who for decades fought against corruption in Haitian regimes by founding Radio Haiti-Inter. This station run by Dominique fought against first the Duvalier's (Papa Doc and Baby Doc) and then the Aristide regime, not because just to fight but because of the corruption Dominique saw running rampant through the government.
Some of these very corrupt regimes were backed by the U.S., but others merely ran their own course, but Dominique fought for democracy, to give people the right to choose their leaders and to make leaders answerable to the people. And he called the leaders out. In an interview with just ousted former president Aristide, you here Dominique calling him corrupt, listing the gifts he took from "special interests" and the favors he did for these groups. And you wonder where are journalists in America willing to question our leaders in the same blunt way.
Dominque was assassinated in front of his studio coming to work in 2000. He had been fighting against corruption and had faced increased threats, but refused to back down. Gunmen met him one morning, and his voice was at last silenced. His work continues with is wife and many other Haitian journalists who he inspired.
A very strong documentary about a island country that is very unstable and a man who made a difference.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
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