Polk Award Winners: Amel Guettatfi and Julia Steers
Apr 15, 2024
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Award-winning journalists Amel Guettatfi and Julia Steers discuss their George Polk Award-winning investigation on Russian mercenaries in Ukraine and Central African Republic. They highlight the importance of making stories interesting, navigating complexities in reporting, and reflecting on Vice's dedication to unconventional storytelling.
Importance of making stories both important and interesting for audience engagement.
Dedication to delivering nuanced narratives in conflict reporting through persistence and adaptability.
Deep dives
Covering the Wagner Militia in Russia and Africa
The podcast features Julia Stears and Amel Ghataffi from Vice News discussing their extensive reporting on the Wagner militia in Russia and Africa. The duo had spent years in Nairobi and the Middle East, developing a keen interest in conflict reporting. With a two-year project in the making, they delved into the secretive world of Wagner, a Russian mercenary group known for its presence in conflict zones like Syria and Africa. Despite initial challenges in accessing information on Wagner's activities, their persistence and prior experience in conflict reporting helped them navigate the complexities of the story.
Navigating an Evolving Story on Wagner's Activities
As the Wagner story unfolded over two years across various global locations, including Ukraine and Africa, the reporters grappled with capturing the dynamic nature of the mercenary group's actions. The evolving events, such as Pergosian's public engagements and Wagner's expanding reach, required the team to adapt and respond quickly to changing narratives. Despite facing significant hurdles, like visa issues and dangers associated with investigating Wagner, they remained committed to delivering an in-depth documentary on the group's operations.
Reporting Nuanced Perspectives in Conflict Zones
Amidst complex conflicts like the situation in Central African Republic, the reporters highlighted the nuanced perspectives of various actors involved. Their reporting in Al Hall prison, where ISIS members and families are held, and engagements with Wagner mercenaries underscored the importance of portraying multifaceted narratives. By avoiding simplistic portrayals of 'good versus evil,' the reporters aimed to capture the intricate motivations and realities of individuals caught in conflict zones.
Challenges and Resilience in Journalistic Endeavors
The challenges faced by the reporters, juxtaposed with Vice's corporate struggles, revealed the resilience required in journalistic endeavors. Amid Vice's financial instability, the team continued their fieldwork with a strong sense of camaraderie and commitment to their projects. Their ability to navigate personal risks, like arrests and security threats in conflict zones, showcased their dedication to producing high-quality, impactful journalism even amidst larger organizational upheavals.
Amel Guettatfi and Julia Steers won this year's George Polk Award for Television Reporting for “Inside Wagner,” their Vice News investigation of Russian mercenaries on the Ukraine front and in the Central African Republic.
“One of the best takeaways I got from seven or eight years at Vice is that it’s not enough for something to be important when you’re figuring out how to make a story. It’s the intersection of important and interesting. And that has taught me that people will watch anything, anywhere, as long as it’s interesting. Nobody owes us their time. The onus is on us to explain things in an interesting, compelling way. I’m hoping that a landscape opens up somewhere else that sees that and understands that can be done anywhere in the world.”