Eyewitness Again

A series of programmes on BBC World, on 'Medicine San Frontier' (forgive the dodgy French Accent) set me off again on this perenial.

I realised by the end of the programme on Sudan, I had a stronger grasp of the situation in country after this brief programme than after years of news reports.

What was it that did this? I think it was because the programme was focused not on giving an artificial 'balance' to the political situation, or a reporter's interpretation of the events, but on the actions of people who were working for MSF.

We saw them working - not telling us. There was a militia leader who had brought in a relation to the hospital. They had to get him to sign it was OK to give the anesthetic - if he died it could set up a revenge killing against the hospital. The doctor talked to him - he said he had to go back to the fighting.

Instantly the whole 'reality' hits you - not some overblown documentary, some sensationalisation of the moment, just a statement of fact, a bemused looking Doctor who is concerned about preparing for more casualties.

There isn't the fancy camera work (only one camera?) or slick editing - the shot has to be wide to capture both Doctor and Militia man.

I have become the eye witness.