Creative Corner / January
Writer/Director Gavin Knight shares some of his favourite films
This is the third guest blog taking a look at creative ideas and films by Gavin Knight. An award winning writer and director, he makes compelling content for brands. Check out his other articles on Medium and read more about him below…
WHO DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE AGE OF FAKE NEWS & IMAGE MANIPULATION?
With Donald Trump spinning lies about the American democratic process & governments around the world contradicting themselves about how to deal with the Covid pandemic, it’s hard to know what to believe.
We read & listen to what we want to hear…which is why I found this film so profound & timely from Reporters Without Borders:
Created by BETC Paris and produced through Birth with direction by Vincent Rodella, the film shows how journalists all over the world #FIGHTFORFACTS — Reality only exists if someone reports it. The victims of these dramatic stories — immigrants, a prisoner, a child-bride & bodies in body-bags — gradually disappear, leaving an empty shot…would we ever know about such stories without the heroes who seek out the truth?
We’re all a bit guilty here because, when it comes to our news feeds, we behave like flocks of sheep. For example, if you’re anti the 3rd lockdown in the UK then you might support the scientists & data behind the Great Barrington Declaration
But if you support the current lockdown then you might read and agree with Boris Johnson’s scientific advisors. Both sides have top experts in their fields looking at the same data, so who are you to believe?
In the age of fake news, the integrity of a free press has never been more important…but the job for an individual journalist to research & to expose the truth has never been harder. The closer the debate, the more vital it is to analyse the data, spot false claims & expose fake news. Ironically in the nail-biting race for the White House, it was probably Trump’s previous lies that undid him!
Governments have blocked social-media platforms & restricted internet access in Belarus, Sudan, Bangladesh & Brazil recently & this trend is predicted to rise.
‘Governments are using the internet to spread misinformation and suppress dissent’ says Wendy Hall, Professor of Computer Sciences at the University of Southampton, writing in ‘The Wired World of 2021’ publication.
Journalists and news reporters on the front line have a huge challenge to present the truth, particularly if their personal views lean one way or the other. The best journalists try to balance both sides of the story for all audiences. A free press that supports independent-minded journalists is one of the most important assets of any democracy, even when they’re telling us a story we may not want to hear.
More about our contributor, Gavin Knight
Gavin Knight is on a mission against brand gobbledegook, delivering one beautiful film at a time.
He makes compelling content for brands such as Microsoft, Deloitte & the Financial Times using documentary, drama or humour (sometimes all three!). Gavin started his career in TV as a runner. He soon became a Producer & has worked around the globe in search of the perfect story through agencies such as WorldWide (TV/Corporate) & then as a co-owner of Firehouse (Commercials/Branded Content).
Now freelance, his work has won over 30 International awards including three Best of Festivals & seven GOLD Awards @BFI EVCOM London Film Festival.
Gavin’s Website
Gavin’s Medium Blog
Gavin’s LinkedIn
