Investigative journalist John Pilger, known for covering aftermath of Cambodia Pol Pot’s rule, dies at 84

Pilger was known for covering the aftermath of Pol Pot’s regime in Cambodia and also looked into the Thalidomide scandal along with his war correspondence

Pilger, an Australian-born documentary maker, worked for Britain’s Daily Mirror, ITV’s former investigative programme World In Action and Reuters

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John Pilger attends an exhibition titled “John Pilger: Reporting The World” featuring work by various reportage photographers at London’s Barbican Art Gallery in 2001. Photo: Getty Images

Published: 10:59pm, 31 Dec 2023

Investigative journalist John Pilger has died aged 84, his family has announced.

The Australia-born documentary maker was known for his work covering the aftermath of Pol Pot’s regime in Cambodia and also looked into the Thalidomide scandal along with his war correspondent work.

A statement to his X, formerly Twitter, page on Sunday said: “It is with great sadness the family of John Pilger announce he died yesterday 30 December 2023 in London aged 84.

“His journalism and documentaries were celebrated around the world, but to his family he was simply the most amazing and loved dad, grandad and partner. Rest in peace.”

John Pilger in 1976. The Australia -born documentary maker was known for his work covering the aftermath of Pol Pot’s regime in Cambodia. Photo: Getty Images

Pilger worked for Britain’s Daily Mirror, ITV’s former investigative programme World In Action and Reuters.

In 1979, the ITV film Year Zero: The Silent Death Of Cambodia revealed the extent of the Khmer Rouge’s crimes and Pilger won an International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences award for his 1990s follow-up ITV documentary Cambodia: The Betrayal.