Why journalism needs a revolution | Natalia Antelava | TEDxTbilisi

Summary

Journalist Natalia Antelava recounts her experience in Myanmar during Cyclone Nargis, highlighting the story of Zio Su, a boy who lost his entire family. She criticizes the disposable nature of traditional journalism, advocating for a digital storytelling approach that provides context and continuity, crucial for understanding events' long-term impacts.

Takeaways

• 🌪️ Zio Su, a young boy from Myanmar, survived a devastating cyclone that killed his entire family.
• 📰 Journalists faced extreme difficulty in reporting the cyclone's aftermath due to Myanmar's repressive regime.
• 🇲🇲 The author managed to enter Myanmar under the guise of a tourist to report on the disaster.
• 🚫 The Burmese military's presence was oppressive, leading to the deportation of the author's colleagues.
• 🚗 The author and a Thai cameraman braved checkpoints, posing as businessmen to reach the disaster zone.
• 🏠 They found Zio Su in a cyclone survivor-filled house, where he shared his tragic story of loss.
• 🛳️ The journey through the Irrawaddy Delta revealed the extent of the devastation and the failed rescue efforts.
• 🤝 Despite his own loss, Zio Su showed resilience and kindness by helping the author navigate the disaster area.
• 📹 The author smuggled footage out of Myanmar, highlighting the risks journalists take to report the truth.
• 🔄 The political transformation in Myanmar was linked to the cyclone, a connection often overlooked by media.
• 🌐 The author argues for a shift in journalism towards continuous storytelling to provide deeper context and understanding.

Q & A

Who is Zio Su and where was he born?

Zio Su is a little boy who was born in the Irrawaddy Delta in Burma or Myanmar.

What significant event occurred in 2008 that affected Zio Su's life?

In 2008, a massive cyclone hit the Irrawaddy Delta, causing widespread destruction and loss of life.

Why was it difficult for journalists to get into Burma at the time of the cyclone?

It was difficult for journalists to get into Burma because the country was one of the most isolated and repressive at the time.

How did the speaker manage to get a visa to enter Burma after the cyclone?

The speaker managed to get a visa by using an undisclosed trick, posing as a tourist.

What was the speaker's initial strategy upon arriving in Myanmar's biggest city, Yangon?

The speaker's initial strategy was to pretend not to know her BBC colleagues and pass handwritten messages under hotel doors.

What happened to the speaker's colleagues in the hotel?

The speaker's colleagues were rounded up by the Burmese military and deported from the country.

How did the speaker eventually make it to the Irrawaddy Delta?

The speaker linked up with a cameraman from Thailand who found a brave Burmese man to drive them to the worst-hit areas.

What was the cover story for the speaker and her Thai cameraman during their journey to the Irrawaddy Delta?

Their cover story was that the Thai cameraman was a businessman from Thailand, and they were carrying sacks of wheat, pasta, and water.

What was the condition of the Irrawaddy Delta when the speaker arrived?

The damage was unbelievable with villages destroyed, thousands of survivors, and a chaotic rescue effort by the Burmese military.

How did Zio Su survive the cyclone?

Zio Su survived by climbing to the top of a tree and clinging on for eight hours as he watched the water take away his family members.

What was the most striking action Zio Su took after the cyclone, as described by the speaker?

After losing his entire family, Zio Su stretched out his hand to help the speaker disembark from a boat.

Why does the speaker believe that the story of Zio Su and the cyclone is important for understanding political changes in Myanmar?

The speaker believes that the story is important because it illustrates the impact of the cyclone on the people of Myanmar, which was a significant factor in the country's political transformation.

What is the main issue the speaker identifies with traditional journalism in terms of story coverage?

The main issue is that traditional journalism is not designed to stay on a story, often treating events as if they happen in a vacuum and failing to provide follow-up or context.

What does the speaker suggest as a solution to improve journalistic storytelling?

The speaker suggests embracing the Internet as a digital scrapbook to provide context and continuity to stories, rather than using disposable platforms.