Exclusive: Christiane Amanpour On Her Genocide Documentary, International Reporting and New Media

CNN's Christiane Amanpour has spent much of the last 20 years covering conflicts in every corner of the world. Her new documentary, Scream Bloody Murder, looks at genocide and tells the personal stories of those who tried to stop mass killings. The documentary airs on CNN on December 4 at 9 pm Eastern/Pacific. See the online special report here.

The Huffington Post talked to Ms. Amanpour about her documentary, international news coverage and new media.

Why did you choose genocide as the subject of the documentary?

Genocide is the most serious violation of international law. And we're doing it at a time which marks the 60th Anniversary of the U.N. convention to prevent genocide and punish the perpetrators. In addition, as you know, genocide is really resonating, I think, with the American people right now. It was a mainstay of the campaign speeches of Barack Obama during the campaign. And when he nominated Susan Rice to be the UN ambassador, she ticked off a list of priorities and challenges, including ending genocide. It is very, very important...Across the board people are realizing that this is something that must be tackled and that really should never happen again, as everybody said after the Holocaust.

The documentary looks at people throughout history who tried to interfere and stop genocide. Why did you take that approach to the story?

I have covered this throughout my career and I was taken by so many of the people who showed true moral courage and also physical courage. Also they were willing to risk their professional status, sometimes their standing within their own professional or even personal communities, to stand up and be counted and to talk against conventional wisdom, and to urge governments and people who were reluctant to intervene. These heroes stood up and urged them to get up and stop the genocide.

This is the kind of topic that I have been covering for the last nearly 20 years as a foreign correspondent so it really dovetails with all the work that I have done as well. I wanted to put it into a broader picture and see if there were any patterns.

Have you found any patterns?

Yes, I strongly, strongly believe that early intervention and the will to intervene would have stopped these genocides...You can recognize the warning signs. With political will, governments can intervene to stop it. Military intervention is the last resort, but there are many ways including diplomatic and other types of interventions. As long as it is done early enough and seriously enough, I believe it can halt genocide.

Looking at the history of genocide, is there more political will now to stop it?

I think there are steps that are being made in the right direction but it's still not enough. I think governments are more willing to acknowledge and use the word "genocide." ... The United States government called what's happening in Darfur genocide, but during Rwanda they didn't and during Bosnia they didn't. ... At least that is progress because the terminology is very, very important. ... But it has to be matched with action.

Do you think that what is happening in Darfur now still constitutes genocide?

As you know, genocide does not have to mean mass killing, it means the killing of any one or group based on the desire to eliminate based on their ethnic, racial or religious makeup. People are still being killed. Obviously it's slowed down, but that doesn't mean the violations of human rights have slowed down. Often in a genocide - this is why early intervention is vital - most of the mass killing happens early on.

You have mentioned that Americans have recently shown an openness to international news. Do you think this will last?

I hope so. It's based on a lot of optimism. Also based on [the fact that] most Americans said that one of their goals and wishes for the new administration here was to restore America's standing in the world. I think at the very least America is aware of its position in the world and wants to recover its good name in the world. ... The United States is involved in two hot wars and the hot pursuit of terrorists. This is a time when Americans, I think, are much more attuned to what's going on in the rest of the world.

Why do you think some international stories like the Mumbai attacks get tremendous attention from the press, but other global stories that are just as significant, like conflict in the Congo, get neglected?

Part of it is because Congo is black and African and over there. And there is a big prejudice about Africa and about telling news from Africa, which is one reason why Rwanda didn't get enough attention and 800,000 to one million people where killed, as we point out in our documentary. ... [Plus, in the United States,] there is a large Indian American population, India is the focus of a lot of attention; it is the world's largest democracy. It is a rising economic power and cultural power, certainly in the region. And it's terrorism. Of course Americans are gripped by the fear and the threat of terrorism. ... But I agree with you, there are many stories that should get as much attention.

What do you think will be the big international news stories of 2009?

Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, India, climate change, food scarcity, water scarcity, and somewhere down the line, the Middle East peace process. And the ongoing fight against terrorism. Plus, of course, the challenge of tackling genocide, and trying to alleviate institutional poverty. And that huge, huge social injustice -- the growing divide between the haves and the have nots.

Bloggers and citizen journalists have been playing an active role in reporting on international news events like the attacks in Mumbai and last year's protests in Burma. What is your view on citizen journalists and bloggers, and do you use them in your reporting?

Sometimes it is incredibly useful, for instance, in closed societies such as Burma. Some of the images, some of the stories that have come out have been by the Internet and by citizen journalists. And that has been indispensable in terms of knowing what is going on when journalists like myself and others cannot get visas to get in there and cannot operate. ... In that regard I think the bloggers or the citizen journalists are very brave and very useful.

I think that in the West sometimes blogging is an excuse for sitting back and just commenting on life as it passes by and putting out your opinions on what is happening. Sometimes those are interesting, but not always. And the truth of the matter is I do not believe, no matter how sophisticated the delivery platform, I don't think there is a substitute or should there be a substitute for professional journalism, which comes with training, with experience, with credibility, with developing trust based on the accuracy of your record in the field. I think that is an absolute must. That must stay with us so that people have an accurate and objective reference point for their information.

Watch Christiane Amanpour on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Comments

[SoD1]

Amanpour is an fitting example of smart neo-conservbative but poorly researched “bad” Journalism.
THIS is the far opposite and from early 2007, already: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2007/jan/31/comment.usa

[judesedit]

Thank you, Christiane and Huffington Post for bringing us the truth. I believe one reason Americans are paying more attention to international news is they are beginning to realize that other countries are more aware of what's going on in our country than we are. The current American administration preaches a lot about the freedoms and privileges of U.S. citizens and how good we have it, while steadily chipping away at our rights. They preach the need for free and fair elections to other countries, yet refuse to ensure honest elections here. They are steadily chipping away at our rights, and I truly believe, hope to control us by forcing the majority of us into a constant state of fear and desperation. They forgot to think it through to the stage where it backfires. You could drown in the propaganda we are fed on a regular basis. It will be so nice to have an intelligent, articulate, sensible, honest, focused, humanitarian president, who wants to ensure broadband internet access for all. Education is one of his main priorities and providing it will help to abolish the ignorance, bitterness and cruelty that leads to genocide. Thank you for an excellent documentary.

[SoD1]

Indeed, you are right. It was very typical! A typical propaganda utilizing solely the "victim hood" sentiments of the Holocaust even 63 years later as an excuse to drum the pro-war beats against Russia, Iran and Pakistan and godknowswhonext.. And to put on the blind fold on the public to create the needed public agreement for military “War” support Worldwide, just to “fight” genocides.
All nicely hidden and clothes in half-truth and false historical context.
Add a tiny bit of the "genocide" of other tribes, stir well. But instead iof as before Never mention with one Word the atrocious Involvement and FAULTS of one's this People and nation, we mention just the most harmless ones and reduce the 'fault'.. Yes, brilliantly typical, indeed!!

[SoD1]

“Genocide” (from Greek root génos (γένος) ( race, gene); secondly from Latin -cide (occido—to massacre, kill) meaning “mass murder of a one race”, happened actually only in the case of African Blacks and native Americans!
ALL other forms wrongfully named “Genocide” are in fact mass muder on (undefined number) members of another “tribe”, ”class”, region”, or “religion”.
Therefore,
Politic, Ethnic or Religious ect. motivated mass Murder would have in fact been more appropriated and representative. Unless, there is a “Jewish”, Islamic, Christian, American “Race” gen, I am unaware of, hm?!
(Whoever wants to spin these as denial of the Holocausts, should really start reading and stop watching some History Books and stop watching TV!) 3:

[SoD1]

What I totally missed in her “Documentation” were Elaborations of the Dynamics leading to genocides, internal and external factors (Involvement of Other nations maybe, hm?) , political, socio-economic and psychological motives. And most important the Questions, “What was our fault in all these?” and “ How do we want to prevent such?” and a few “debatable” idea other than self-promoting military “intervention with a “U.S-led World Army” to “eliminate genocide, rebellion and who-knows-what, hmm? Basically said Amanpour's Report and her “Guests” - at last it appears clear to me, were subtly promoting commenting genocide to “end” genocide!
And to be honest, I'd rather prefer an intelligent, “neutral” 6 hours BBC, PBS or LinkTV or History Channel DocuS!
I simply dislike “sensational”, simplistic Info-Advertainment Journal(s)/ -Isms.
It was to me just another BS Reality U.S-NeoCon made Military Industrial Complex SHOW, totally made in Hollywood!

[SoD1]

What I totally missed in her “Documentation” were Elaborations of the Dynamics leading to genocides, internal and external factors (Involvement of Other nations maybe, hm?) , political, socio-economic and psychological motives. And most important the Questions, “What was our fault in all these?” and “ How do we want to prevent such?” and a few “debatable” idea other than self-promoting military “intervention with a “U.S-led World Army” to “eliminate genocide, rebellion and who-knows-what, hmm? Basically said Amanpour's Report and her “Guests” - at last it appears clear to me, were subtly promoting commenting genocide to “end” genocide!
And to be honest, I'd rather prefer an intelligent, “neutral” 6 hours BBC, PBS or LinkTV or History Channel DocuS!
I simply dislike “sensational”, simplistic Info-Advertainment Journal(s)/ -Isms.
It was to me just another BS Reality U.S- made Military Industrial Complex SHOW, totally made in Hollywood!

[2PartyDictatorship]

I found it fascinating that she did not include the Armenian Holocaust in her documentary. Hmmm...

[canadiansoccermom]

Thank you Christian Amanpour. You have always been one of my favorites. We can count on a balanced story courageously told.
My first memory of Ms. Amanpour is from back when Clinton was president. She asked straight forward questions, that others were not asking, even if the president was annoyed.

Blogs are no sustitute for journalism. However, I love reading an important article on various subjects and then reading what others had to say about it. At times, I find it more interesting than the article itself. Other times I have learned more by following links.
What I like most though, is when someone in the media says something false, people in the blogs put them through the wringer.

[SoD1]

Hmm.. "Balanced" Really? HOW funny though that she, just in the same Night on Anderson Cooper's 360 Extreme Challenges, was promoting pretty rigorously even with hitting the map with her fists – indirect a “genocide” on Afghanistan. Being “born” someone does not make any one alone more objective or “tolerant” toward the Region. But it could make one the “perfect” spy when a lot of Mammon is involved!
First we have to learn to listen with more than our ears and red with more than our eyes. Then we will really know far more.

BethA, join in here, please. Read your comments below.. I can "attempt" an explanation of what was not quite "accurate" with Amanpour's report and genererally wrong in such "emotionell but less infromal Enterntainment Formates are.

[SoD1]

ndeed, you are right. It was very typical. A typical propaganda utilizing solely the "victimhood" sentiments of "you know who tribe" as an excuse to drum the pro-war beats against Russia, Iran and Pakistan and godknowswhonext.. And to put on the blind fold on the public to create the needed public agreement for military “War” support Worldwide, just to “fight” genocides.
All nicely hidden and clothes in half-truth and false historical context.
Add a tiny bit of the "genocide" of other tribes, stir well. But Never mention with one Word the atrocious Involvement and FAULTS of one's own “tribe” and nation. Yes, brilliantly typical, indeed!!

[readyfornewleadership]

an actual journalist. Imagine!

[dems08]

I've never heard Amanpour say anything controversial, or anything that reflects negatively on Bush and the Republicans.

Was she critical of the latest large-scale ethnic-cleansing, that was caused by Bush and the Republicans' lying us into the Iraq disaster?

[onceler]

Eh, her point is so general it's hard to argue with. I think it's more like - investigative reporters are the alligators, and bloggers are the little birdies that come and pick the food out of their teeth after they've feasted on some unfortunate creature.

[breakfast]

To paraphrase: "Blogging is no substitute for professional journalism"

Two things:

Except for Christiane Amanpour and a few others, there isn't much "professional journalism" going on and very little of it actually happens in the MSM.

I read my local newspaper and then I turn to the internet for news and it is just astounding to me what the local paper (largest in my state) simply doesn't bother to report.

So I am glad we have bloggers and news being available on the internet. Just hope it lasts.

[FirstShirt]

"I think that in the West sometimes blogging is an excuse for sitting back and just commenting on life as it passes by and putting out your opinions on what is happening."

Isn't that what the pundits and commentators do on national TV? Why, then, can't the taxpayers and citizens deserve the same?

[BethA]

Agreed, blogs are a good way to post just emotions, I wish though that we had some icon we can put on our posts when they are just emo posts and one for when they are on a subject we have facts to report on that enlighten us all. For me good journalism/blogging , the kind that interests me at least, shines a spot light on things that are in need of change. I loved it when bloggers pointed out the facts that were reported incorrectly during the election...now THAT is useful to me and seems to me a real benefit of what substantive reporting should be. If MSM can't do it, that just opens the door for responsible blogging to do it for them!

[canadiansoccermom]

So true.

[ohioan73]

If Amanpour's journalistic goal was to draw attention to the world's apathy, she achieved that. Its more activism than journalism and I like it. Targeting a group for massacre because of race, religion or ethnicity is a stain on humanity and it should be treated as such. This is more than a story. This is a call to action. Focusing on Amanpour's career is just another distraction that I'm sure she didn't intend.

[flyingmonkey]

Now, this is a role model.
I sure would like to see a lot more of her in the news and a lot less Sarah Palin.

[suhud]

Couldn't agree more. While Palin sat behind a sports desk and read from a teleprompter, then stood on a national stage doing the same--essentially shouting " look at MEEEEEE"--­Christiane had been risking her life to make the rest of us aware of man's inhumanity to man. I want my children to grow up thinking and caring like her. Not like some self-righteous, hate-spewing fanatic. That's why the world has such problems in the first place.

[flyingmonkey]

I don't blame Sarah Palin. I blame the media and our culture for making Britany, Lindsay and Paris and yes, Sarah household words by making them the focus day after day. I'm glad someone's giving Christiane an hour. At least we'll be guaranteed one hour of real news as opposed to idiots blathering like they ARE the news and soundbytes on a loop.
I just hope it's not on at the same time as Celebrity Rehab.

[Carol06095]

Why are you talking about Sarah Palin? Enough already.

[BethA]

I just watched Amanpours documentary. It was typical Amanpour work, moving and reporting that people sitting safe in their own homes need to hear. This documentary is a reminder to me that for decades she has been on the front lines of the war zones of this world speaking for those who can't sit at home and blog, for those who's cries go unheard. If you didn't watch her piece, then you can never know why those of us who know her work took offense at the bashing that took place on this blog today.

No one in this world is ever perfect, nor catering to everyone's personal pet peeves but a simple fact remains...­.Christian­ne Amanpour continues to put out work that speaks for those who can't speak for themselves. We should all spend our time having the dedication and impact she has and if we can't do that, at least support those who can and do.

[fussygorilla]

Like what? Which one of her reports sound right? She is one of the skilled propagandists for the SYSTEM and knows what to say to the public(who are mostly ignorant of international issues) to please them and her bosses.

[BethA]

What work of hers have you seen? Did you watch the one last night? If so , tell me specifically what was wrong with it, give me specifics not general it all sucks and if you can't..then you didn't watch it and that is my point with SOME bloggers. Good bloggers are entitled to my respecting their view when their writing has substance, shows that they know first hand the issue they are talking about, not just blind bashing subjects they haven't studied.. Please make me wrong and show me that you actually watched her work in full AND then I will respect your viewpoint on it.

[MomfromTexas]

Agreed, BethA. My husband and I watched the documentary last night, and I told my husband that I think Amanpour is one of the few true journalists left. Her work is daring in a way that no other journalist's is.

[BethA]

Good post, yes I too forgot just how daring she has been in her career. Watching her in Bosnia, in Sarajavo, her questioning on Bill Clinton just reminded me that she goes where other journalists do not, no arm chair journalist, she literally puts herself in the line of fire to tell the real story. That just takes guts not to mention the material she presented last night ...wow, it's sad I didn't know some of this...it was never followed on MSM, instead the usual MSM covers Brittany and Palin's clothes when there are stories like this they should be covering.

[tigerlyly]

Blogs can be a race to the bottom for ideas.

Good writers stand out, but good writing is no substitute for peer-reviewed research when attempting one's hand at social science.

Professional journalists set a limit to their observations. I appreciate that.

[stephanemot]

Another relevant subject for Amanpour, but the main story remains her own image.
That's part of the CNN concept, but it's really a drag for their programs.

[danielsadicario]

You're hating on Amanpour? Really?

[BethA]

The main story I heard was specific facts and interviews that show that genocide IS going on in the world and countries turn a blind eye while hundreds of thousands are slaughtered. The rest of CNN isn't in the same ballpark as Amanpour so I don't lump her in with them.