A recent lecture at Stony Brook University’s Charles B. Wang Center focused on the difficulties and risks faced by journalists working in conflict zones. The event, titled “Zones of Conflict: The Art of Investigative Documentary Filmmaking,” was organized by the Marie Colvin Center for International Reporting, which is part of the Stony Brook University School of Communication and Journalism.
Robin Barnwell, a documentary filmmaker and cinematographer with experience in some of the world’s most dangerous environments, spoke to a full audience about his career and the changing landscape of international reporting. Barnwell recounted his 2006 assignment in Somalia, where he covered what he described as “the first Islamic revolution since 9/11.” He noted the dangers present at the time, referencing previous killings of journalists in Mogadishu. “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,” Barnwell said.
Barnwell described being warned about Aden Hashi Farah Ayro, leader of Al Shabaab. “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 explained. Despite these warnings, Barnwell learned that Ayro was staying in the same hotel as him. By building trust with government members and clarifying his role as a journalist, Barnwell gained access to the Islamic Courts over three weeks.
The resulting documentary, “Somalia: Hearts, Minds and Holy War,” created with Aidan Hartley, depicted the rise of a new Taliban-style state in Somalia. Barnwell even secured access to Ayro. “He gave us a trip out to the front line where the Ethiopian army on the other side was preparing to invade,” Barnwell said. He added that in 2008, Ethiopia invaded and the Islamic Courts were overthrown. Ayro was later killed in an American drone strike.
Barnwell used these experiences to illustrate changes in journalism. “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,” he said. “The access my colleague and I got wouldn’t be given today. These organizations have their own media outlets. They don’t need the traditional mainstream media to report for them and these organizations wouldn’t trust the Western media. We’re seeing that in our own countries as the traditional media is challenged by the new independent sources.”
He also addressed growing difficulties in accessing certain countries due to increased authoritarianism and restrictions on journalists, noting that such challenges are present even in Western nations. “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,” Barnwell said.
Barnwell highlighted the importance of advancing public understanding through storytelling. He discussed his work in China documenting the detention of Uyghur Muslims. “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. Barnwell described how Chinese authorities hindered BBC coverage and how he aimed to broaden the narrative by focusing on “digital authoritarianism” and the global spread of surveillance technology.
His film, “Undercover: Inside China’s Digital Gulag,” received multiple awards and examined how surveillance technology was used to detain over a million Muslims without trial.
During his talk, Barnwell shared video footage from his reporting in Israel, Palestine, and Ukraine, including a story about a Ukrainian girl kidnapped and adopted by a Russian official. He also spoke about issues such as sourcing, verification, fact-checking, and misinformation in digital journalism.
In a question-and-answer session, Barnwell emphasized 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, commented on Barnwell’s approach: “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.”
