It is one of the largest ecological disasters in the world. As the bitter dispute over who is to blame rages on, this report takes a powerful grassroots look at 50 years of devastation in the Niger Delta.
Aerial shots show vast black islands surrounded by shimmering slicks of oil. This is what much of the Niger Delta looks like after what environmentalists say is "the equivalent of one Exxon Valdez every year". It was revealed in secret correspondence released by WikiLeaks that one minister can siphon off $20 million dollars in bribes from oil companies. Meanwhile local communities are reduced to eating fish meat that tastes of kerosene. This inequality has led to a rise in cases of sabotage of pipelines to get access to crude oil. The oil companies blame this for the level of pollution. But for ecologists there are no doubts that poor maintenance is far more to blame for the fact that the Delta has more than one leak every day. They argue that companies consider it cheaper to lose oil than maintain and protect the pipes. As the world turns a blind eye, the desperation of the locals intensifies. "There's a vast contrast between what we saw in America, when President Barack Obama was on the side of the people during the Gulf of Mexico spill, and here." What's Up Productions
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Brazil - Peace on a Wire
- 27' min 10'' sec [9 July 2012]
Brazil is using innovative strategies in its fight against poverty and violence in Rio's slums. But with a World Cup around the corner and an Olympic games not far behind, are these solutions enough?
Brazil is booming like never before. Serious international investment has created many new jobs and since 2003 more than 20 million people have risen out of poverty. "We do not have serious financial problems like Europe and the United States", says a Brazilian insurance agent. In Rio, a new cable car system transports 100,000 people from the slums into the city to work each day. Yet a booming illegal weapons and drugs trade still plagues the city. The government strategy of "pacification" has seen military occupation of the sprawling favelas for two years: a controversial measure, but one that is credited with making the streets safe again."Today I can walk around unarmed and alone without being afraid", one policeman smiles. "Look we have an ATM and can take money out in peace!" a local journalist shows us proudly. They might still have a long way to go, but locals are positive that, "we now have a better country".
ORF
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Libya - Lawless Land
- 17' min 38'' sec [23 April 2012]
Vote counting is now underway following Libya's first democratic election post-Gaddafi. But can this really mark a new beginning for a country still bitterly divided and unable to control its unruly militias?
Libya's power vacuum has been filled by heavily armed rebels who still control much of the war-torn nation. Mohammed Swehli, a commander of one of the major Misratan Rebel Brigades, denies the widespread allegations of torture and abuse. "We're not bandits". This report gained rare access to the prisons where thousands are being held indefinitely without charge. "They beat me with electric cables", one prisoner tells us. Stuck in a quagmire of lawless infighting, what does the future hold for post-election Libya?
SBS
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Afghanistan - The Taliban Spring
- 12' min 36'' sec [16 April 2012]
Woman's execution grim reminder of rising Taliban influence
The Taliban have vowed to reclaim their control of Afghanistan and their aggression is growing. This incisive report investigates what a future with the Taliban will really mean for the Afghans. "For them it's not a peace process", Amrullah Saleh, former head of Afghan Intelligence tells us. Saleh is adamant that the Taliban's "maximalist agenda" will lead to civil war once the West leaves Afghanistan. In a rare interview, Maulvi Qalamuddin, former Deputy Minister of the Taliban, bristles: "You cannot show me one woman in Afghanistan who was ever punished by the Taliban". Yet Fawzia Koofi is fully aware of the implications of returning to life under the extreme Islamists; an MP and single mother, she has faced numerous death threats and assassination attempts."They want to kill me: I am against their beliefs and I'm proud of that".
Prue Lewarne
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Italy - Genoa Police Raid
- 2 min [21 June 2001]
Italian court strips police of top men in G8 conviction
After more than 10 years the Italian courts have condemned the police who raided a school in Genoa during the G8 summit, injuring more than 60 protesters. We bring you unique footage of the shocking incident.
From the rooftops a cameraman using green night vision catches streams of heavily armed policemen storming through doors into the buildings. In full riot gear hundreds of policemen go on the rampage, to where unsuspecting protesters lie sleeping. This footage offers frightening evidence of the heavy-handed police tactics during this infamous event.
UNDERCURRENTS
