Events in distant parts of the world can have immediate global effects, often communicated through the work of international correspondents who risk their safety to provide information. On October 8, the Marie Colvin Center for International Reporting at Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism hosted a lecture titled “Zones of Conflict: The Art of Investigative Documentary Filmmaking” at the Charles B. Wang Center. The event featured Robin Barnwell, a documentary filmmaker known for working in some of the most dangerous environments.
Barnwell shared his experiences reporting from conflict zones, including a 2006 assignment in Somalia. “I was going to cover the story of the first Islamic revolution since 9/11,” Barnwell said. “I was nervous because months previous, a Channel 4 journalist was shot dead, and a few months before that, a BBC journalist was also murdered. Mogadishu had become a no-go zone for international journalists. But we forged a relationship with the Islamic Court’s new de facto government of Somalia, and we received an invite.”
He recounted being warned about Aden Hashi Farah Ayro, leader of Al Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-affiliated group. “He was wanted by the CIA and we were told he didn’t like Westerners and he didn’t like us being there and that we should avoid any contact with him,” Barnwell said. He later learned Ayro was staying in the same hotel.
By building trust with members of Somalia’s de facto government and clarifying his role as a journalist, Barnwell gained access to the Islamic Courts over three weeks. The resulting film, “Somalia: Hearts, Minds and Holy War,” co-produced with Aidan Hartley, documented the Islamic revolution and the establishment of a new state in Somalia. Barnwell even met Ayro, who took him to the front line before Ethiopian forces invaded in 2008 and overthrew the Islamic Courts. Ayro was later killed in an American drone strike.
“I tell you this story not to highlight any personal bravado, but to show how the world has changed for filmmakers and journalists over the course of my career,” Barnwell said. He explained that such access would be unlikely today, as many organizations now have their own media outlets and do not rely on traditional media. “We’re seeing that in our own countries as the traditional media is challenged by the new independent sources.”
Barnwell noted increased restrictions on journalists due to rising authoritarianism worldwide, including in Western countries. “But I’ve had to adapt over the years because there are lots of countries now where I just can’t step foot. The rise of authoritarianism globally and the restrictions on journalists, sadly, even in Western countries, has made it increasingly difficult for us to do our jobs.”
He also addressed the challenge of deepening public understanding while maintaining engaging storytelling. He cited his work in China on the detention of Uyghurs as an example. “In 2017 people started going missing in northwest China. By the time I started looking at the story the next year the Chinese government had placed more than a million Muslims in specially built camps,” he said. “It was the largest incarceration of an ethnic population since the Second World War. The BBC had been on the ground, but the Chinese government had hindered their coverage. Though their reporting was powerful, it wasn’t telling a bigger picture. I thought the larger frame for the documentary was to cover the new form of government that was being developed to control humans through technology, which is called digital authoritarianism.”
Barnwell’s film “Undercover: Inside China’s Digital Gulag” explored not only the situation of the Uyghurs but also broader issues related to surveillance technology and its global use in repression. He described how local witnesses contributed valuable information, leading to an award-winning documentary.
During the lecture, Barnwell also shared stories from Israel, Palestine, and Ukraine, discussing the practical challenges journalists face in verifying information and combating misinformation in a digital age.
In response to questions, Barnwell emphasized the importance of maintaining relationships with sources. “These are very powerful relationships and I keep in touch with as many as I can,” he said. “These people put their heart and soul to give something stronger to the world by telling their story. We have a responsibility to keep in touch and to understand how their stories have developed.”
Sarah Baxter, director of the Colvin Center, said, “Much like Marie Colvin herself, Robin Barnwell puts people at the heart of his investigative storytelling. We’re very lucky to have him here and tell us about his extraordinary life and work.”
