 |
|
Add to My Group
|
July 14, 2008 at 16:35:51
Promoted to Headline (H2) on 7/14/08: by Georgianne Nienaber Page 1 of 8 page(s) |
|
 
|
Dateline— December 1979, Karisoke Research Camp, Rwanda—Dian Fossey opens a letter from the editor of her book, Gorillas in the Mist, and learns that National Geographic Magazine has decided to “put a hold on Fossey news.” (Source: Letter from Anita McClellan to Dian Fossey. December 14, 1979; McMaster University) The magazine and its board of directors decreed that Dian Fossey was a wild card who would stymie plans to support tourism in the realm of the endangered mountain gorilla. The Boston cocktail circuit of celebrities and mainstream news media luminaries wanted someone who would work against the interests of the African people and develop a gorilla sanctuary which would function as an economic resource for conservation interests—all under the guise of “science.” The result would be hordes of tourists invading native lands and gorilla habitat. Fossey had all but eliminated poaching for antelope species and trade in gorilla parts by this time. The fuss was all about money and strategic interests, and the mantra of National Geographic that Africa was too wild, too uncivilized and too black to manage its own affairs. Fossey would spend the rest of her days fighting for “active conservation,” while National Geographic Magazine slowly cut off her funding. Dian Fossey wrote that “Africans are the backbone” of conservation efforts, realizing that without the support and protection of “Africans for Africans,” there was little hope for either species. There are de-classified diplomatic cables from Fossey’s time which indicate outright collusion between Melvin Payne, then President of the National Geographic Society, Secretary of State, Cyrus Vance, and Rwandan Ambassador, Frank Crigler to remove Fossey from Rwanda. A smear campaign was underway to discredit her so that money-making “conservation” schemes could be implemented by the African Wildlife Fund (AWF) and the colonialist Mountain Gorilla Project.
Endangered Gorilla of Virungas Copyright G. Nienaber
Fossey Wanted AWF out of Rwanda © G. Nienaber
Farley Mowat writes in Virunga, that Vance told Crigler that embassy cables from Rwanda about Fossey had been copied to National Geographic. These cables detailed a plan to remove Fossey from Rwanda so that AWLF could take over.
There were also other sinister forces at work that would resurface during the Rwandan genocide. Protais Zigiranyirazo was governor of Ruhengeri Province in Rwanda when Fossey worked there. Zigiranyirazo was also the brother-in-law of the Hutu President of Rwanda, Juvenal Habyiramana, whose death in a mysterious plane crash ignited the Rwandan “genocide” of 1994. In a controversial ruling, a French tribunal has implicated the current President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, in the assassination. Zigiranyirazo is currently ensconced in Arusha Prison for war crimes and genocide— the murder of Dian Fossey considered a lesser crime.
Diplomatic cables and writing from that time indicate that higher ups realized Zigiranyirazo was a likely suspect in Fossey’s murder. He was involved in illegal trading in endangered species and gold smuggling out of Congo, and there is much additional evidence in the historical record that Fossey was about to expose him when she was murdered.
Fossey was buried in the same graveyard as the gorillas she so valiantly attempted to protect, and National Geographic Magazine went on to provide logistical support for a movie which would forever tarnish her legacy and portray her as a madwoman—the society failed to taint her image while she was alive, but it was a slam-dunk once she was gone.
In a 1988 article, “THE MEDIA BUSINESS: Advertising; Plan Helps Risky Film to Succeed,” the New York Times explained how to sell a complicated story about Africa (the film Gorillas in the Mists) to the masses in America.
Thomas Pollock, chairman of the MCA Motion Picture Group, said, ‘‘we promoted different elements of the film. The story involves Ms. Fossey's work in Africa, as well as her romance with a married photographer. With women older than 25 in mind, ''we did a spot for the daytime soap operas,'' Mr. Pollock said. The spot played off the notion of a woman choosing between her career and a married man who gets a divorce in order to marry her.”
This biographical item was an outright lie, written into the script to sell a movie. The photographer portrayed in the movie was Bob Campbell, of National Geographic Magazine. Campbell and Fossey did have a romance, but the late Rosamond Carr, friend and confident of Fossey told biographers on numerous occasions that Campbell’s betrayal of Fossey was “one of the greatest sorrows of Dian’s life.” Campbell refused to leave his wife and remains married to her to this day.
The studio also created a “more action-oriented” trailer that reflected the exotic nature of the movie, which had many of the elements of Universal's ''Out of Africa.'' The trailer was promoted on shows like ''Good Morning America'' and the ''Today Show,” according the NYT article of October 1988.
Dian Fossey was a formidable woman while she was alive and her words and those of her friends remain in defense of her legacy and the legacy of the African people—legacies which are being stolen by the neo-colonialism of conservation in the Virunga Mountains to this day.
Dateline July 2008—The National Geographic cover story begins in much the same manner as “news reports” that blanketed the mainstream press worldwide in 2007. It is almost a quarter of a century since Dian Fossey was murdered and little has changed.
The sensationalist stories “sell” the “news.”
Georgianne Nienaber is an investigative environmental and political writer. She lives in rural northern Minnesota, New Orleans and South Florida. Her articles have appeared in The Society of Professional Journalists' Online (more...)
The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author
and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
 Contact Author |
Contact Editor |
 View Authors' Articles |
|
|
|
|
| 25 comments |
|
When even a 800-pound gorilla is at risk!
Buffalo don't roam. Wild horses are going the way of the dodo. Pretty soon National Georgraphic will have to profile grasshoppers. What's a nature lover to do? A great article, Georgianne. by Margaret Bassett (45 articles, 2909 quicklinks, 42 diaries, 1849 comments [99 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Jul 14, 2008 at 6:11:51 PM  (0+)
|
|
Reply: In the room
There is an 800 pound gorilla in the room and its name is Mainstream Media by Georgianne Nienaber (153 articles, 47 quicklinks, 13 diaries, 350 comments [3 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Jul 14, 2008 at 6:18:57 PM (0+)
|
|
Good to see you back ...
I was wondering why we haven't heard from you, now I know - great read. Funny you should mention MSM in that light ... I have secured usage of one the oldest, if not the oldest, theaters in New Orleans, beautiful old place, many of the scenes from the movie Ray where used for both interior and exterior scenes, the proprietor, Ms. Helen, is truly an Angel of first order, she admits to three "Guarding Angles" that communicate with her, and this 4'11" of genuine steely spirited black women, is donating usage so I can share my library of DVD documentaries and lectures with the general public. Thinking of the tremendous opportunity and emotions some of these topics will release is going to be interesting. This theater can seat up to 500 people and I put a lot of thought into what documentary to show first? Did I want to start with Zeitgeist and shock and offend nearly everyone? Did I really want to show a movie that in the first third of its trilogy trashes religion in a predominately Catholic city? Did I even want to mention 9/11 at all for the first screening? Than, taking advice from another strong, wise black women with the appropriate name of Roselyn Lionheart, who asked me the rhetorical question: "Well, do you want them to come back?", I decided to go back to the first documentary that impressed me, Orwell Rolls in His Grave, 2004 (ORHG). video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1925114769515892401 For those whom may not be familiar, it's a tremendous film on MSM. And that's why your statement, Georgianne, is so on, the message is everything - being able to direct the perception means you can make people believe they witnessed towers fall, instead of explode. And once one sees how the illusion is performed, it's like discovering how a magician does their trick. And ORHG barely mentions 9/11, but leaves enough to plant a seed. But before ORHG I'm going to hit them right between the eyes with a lecture by Dr. Rima Laibow, on Nutricide and CODEX, that is going to define the nature and depth of our enemies ruthlessness. And may I suggest this viewing to every one, if allowed to be implemented CODEX could cause starvation of 3 billion people in its first year alone. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5266884912495233634 Good to see you back, Georgianne. And thanks for confirming for me what DVD to share first. P.S. - I'm sure Ms. Helen is part of the "vortex". by Mr M (8 articles, 0 quicklinks, 66 diaries, 2845 comments [654 recommended, 27 rejected]) on Monday, Jul 14, 2008 at 10:43:29 PM (0+)
|
|
Reply: Interesting message came through on site that picked this up
This message came through on animal rights site. I wonder if that is our problem at OEN..that "ANYONE can write here?? Georgianne - I respect your work and am glad that you came here is person - certainly makes the story more real. A few reasons for my comment. First, consider where your article was printed - it really does not have an "authoritive" feel to it - and it is "opt ed" meaning "anyone" can publish there. Your article is very "anti" - National Geographic and stands in stark contrast with other source of information I have been exposed to - so it is hard for me to believe this story versus my experience. I understand that they (and WWF) are doing good work to save the gorillias. Your view seems very "anti" american - and this goes against my experience of good work being done by "conservation groups" in the area. Yes, I understand that there is a lot of corruption going on in the Congo - and I certainly do not claim to have any personal experience - but the article just came accross in a very negative way - hence my comments. Being the author with personal experience th ere, I certainly don't mean to be "preaching" to you - I respect what you have to say...and I do appreciate your work for the gorillas...and the people of the DRC. by Georgianne Nienaber (153 articles, 47 quicklinks, 13 diaries, 350 comments [3 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Jul 14, 2008 at 10:51:06 PM (0+)
|
|
Reply: Not everyone "gets it" ...
One of the reasons 9/11 is gaining traction is because some of the agents that were suppose to have died now realise they were set-up and now they're talking. You're critic is most likely what is referred to as a "useful idiot." I don't mean any disrespect, it's just a term I'm familiar with in intelligence circles. Indeed not all the things National Geographic, or any of the so-called "benevolent organizations" formed by those very powers whom would destroy what they outwardly profess to protect is what your "useful idiot" is most likely trying to defend. Once the illusionist trick has been exposed it's easy to see, but for those still fooled by the illusionist, it's all magic still. It's either that or he knows what's what and is putting lip-stick on a pig. by Mr M (8 articles, 0 quicklinks, 66 diaries, 2845 comments [654 recommended, 27 rejected]) on Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008 at 12:22:05 AM (0+)
|
|
Reply: I am
reading an account of the Sappa Creek Indian Massacre of 1875 in Kansas. White soldiers with no provocation attacked the village of Chief Black Kettle and killed 137 men women and children. The author says something great in the introduction: "History is only perhaps the reality of the writer. Although the basis may be factual it is how those fcats are interpreted which determines how the reader will learn about the past. The broad philosophical base of a particular society immediately slants the interpretation of the facts..." Gives writers one hell of a responsibility... As for the critic..he is OK..we struck up a conversation and I think he might join Friends of Congo ..my point was that we have a perception problem at OEN that anything goes... by Georgianne Nienaber (153 articles, 47 quicklinks, 13 diaries, 350 comments [3 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008 at 12:30:32 AM (0+)
|
|
Reply: left wing to a right winger
Geez Georgianne. The guy says we're anti-american, that you are. The fact is that OEN IS moderated and articles are screened. Out of hundreds of MILLIONs of sites, we're among the very few who are treated as legitimate media by the major search engines. No, we are not a print publication. No, we don't do things the same way that the MSM do things. We are a bit of a miracle. I'm very proud of the quality of what we do. We take risks, covering issues others might call too way out. And that could include your writings-- just look at how your commenter responds. But that is part of our makeup and part of what keeps us fresh, alive and at the cutting edge of the future of journalism. Sometimes I feel I'm walking on eggshells, trying to decide whether to cover an issue or not, especially, withour limited resources, not having fact checkers. But there are not many places where your article could be run. And we don't want to be intimidated by a guy who questions us because we challenge the truth of the MSM source he's long been accustomed/addicted to. by Rob Kall (952 articles, 4177 quicklinks, 374 diaries, 2087 comments [45 recommended, 3 rejected]) on Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008 at 7:10:48 AM (0+)
|
|
Reply: It is OK
It opened a dialogue on the site with about ten people and ended up with the guy visiting the friends of the congo site and realizing that there was more he could do...asked me what he could do... and the whole discussion ended up with me giving a list of five books for people to read to get a grip on the history of Congo and Rwanda. One woman decided to go there. So..I do not feel badly at all and did not even when he placed he comment. If I was ashamed I would not have put it out there for all to see...my point was that his perception is the difficulty many have with alternative/progressive media. by Georgianne Nienaber (153 articles, 47 quicklinks, 13 diaries, 350 comments [3 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008 at 7:40:52 AM (0+)
|
|
Reply: Regarding your quote on history ...
"History is written by the victors." (Churchill) Thanks for another great article. by Meryl Ann Butler (70 articles, 82 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 721 comments [29 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008 at 4:35:17 PM (0+)
|
|
Terrific Article
Terrific article Georgianne! You ought to be nominated for a Pulitzer for all your great reports. by Mac McKinney (53 articles, 113 quicklinks, 240 diaries, 1413 comments [31 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Jul 14, 2008 at 11:19:38 PM (0+)
|
|
Reply: Naw
What I really want to do is nominate Lucinda Williams for Poet Laureate of the south...she deserves it!!! by Georgianne Nienaber (153 articles, 47 quicklinks, 13 diaries, 350 comments [3 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Jul 14, 2008 at 11:21:16 PM (0+)
|
|
Reply: no link?
how about a link to her work? by Rob Kall (952 articles, 4177 quicklinks, 374 diaries, 2087 comments [45 recommended, 3 rejected]) on Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008 at 7:57:51 AM (0+)
|
|
Are animals and humans equally unintelligent?
Doesn't Fosse herself get smeared by the paint of "white people know better?" And doesn't her suport network of American funded dollars present the same intellectual challenge of trying to "protect" and promote simultaneously? It is a simple world where we can lay all the world's ills at the feet of conservatives, but the reality is that progressives are equally responsible for the world's ills, too. (Not more, not less, just equal.) Where money comes from is as important as where it goes; neither side is giving the entire system enough attention. They squawk when their own funds are cut, liberal or conservative, without recognizing that it is money itself that is not real. We define our relationships by money. Animals have no money, so they can not offer us anything except their bodies in our world of monetary exchanges. Zoos breed animals like farmers breed sheep. It is to satisfy the overhead of the zoo, not to protect the sheep from extinction, regardless of what they tell themselves. If Fosse wants to spend the funds from a zoo, then there must be a zoo. It is doublethink to pretend otherwise. She is a "researcher" like a baseball scout at a high school baseball game. She is having fun and getting paid, but to say she has the best interest of the players at heart is absurd. She is collecting data for the zookeepers. The animals don't need us; we need them. She is equally using the guise of "science" as a shield. Beware the mirror. You may not like what you see. by Steve Consilvio (18 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 184 comments [4 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008 at 8:06:58 AM (0+)
|
|
Reply: Do some Research
Dian Fossey has been dead since 1985 and did not have "fun" doing her pioneering work. She lost all or most of her teeth,had horrible lung problems, lived in a primitive camp with no bathroom and had to travel down the mountain for a good night's sleep and a hot bath at her friend Rosamond Carr's home at Mugongo. Fossey lived in service for eighteen years and fought toothand nail against the "scientists" who thought only of money for their next project. Fossey employed only African trackers and writes enthusiastically of the frienships she developed with them. On Christmas Eve (she threw a party for all of her Africa neighbors) 1984 she delivered a Batwa baby and the baby was named "Karisoke" after the camp. I am not sure what you are getting at...but you seem to have your facts mixed up. Being brutally murdered with a panga (machete) to the skull is not my idea of a good time...why was she murdered...she was about to expose smugglers from Congo. by Georgianne Nienaber (153 articles, 47 quicklinks, 13 diaries, 350 comments [3 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008 at 8:26:19 AM (0+)
|
|
Reply: Totally Bewildered
SENT TO OEN EDITOR: I'm amazed such a rambling, unfocused article could appear anywhere, even on a web blog. Ms. Nienaber seems to be making serious allegations, but what exactly are they? The writing starts here, goes there, introduces a new sub-plot, and ends up over there--after getting sidetracked along the way with that most irritating of all literary gimmicks, the posting of breathless questions that are never answered. The reader is left bewildered as to what the real message is intended to be. Has anyone at OEN considered summarizing the main points of Ms. Nienaber's diatribe in plain English? And when I attempted to post a comment, I got kicked into some "error" message unlike any I've ever seen, after years of sitting at this computer and participating in a plethora of newspaper and independent blogs without the slightest difficulty. by Todd Bondy (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 3 comments) on Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008 at 8:35:49 AM (0+)
|
|
Reply: I will
Summarize it in plain English if you truly wish a summary. Please tell me what you do not understand and I will do so as this is a very important topic and I sincerely want it understood. by Georgianne Nienaber (153 articles, 47 quicklinks, 13 diaries, 350 comments [3 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008 at 8:54:26 AM (0+)
|
|
Sad News
The knowledge that National Geographic is owned by Robert Murdock is very sad news to me. I have long been a subscriber....and will have to read them at the library after this. There is no way I will knowingly put money into his revenue stream. Veteran '66-68 by Roger (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 465 comments [22 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008 at 8:57:26 AM (0+)
|
|
Reply: It is Everywhere
The National Geographic channel is majority (2/3) owned by FOX. NG provides programming based on articles and FOX networks handles distribution, marketing and advertising sales. The European venue is running in partnership with Fox’s sister company, British Sky Broadcasting, which reaches all of UK, Ireland and Iceland. All of these programs are available worldwide, with hardly a blank spot on the map. The message is everywhere. The Congolese do not even have electricity. by Georgianne Nienaber (153 articles, 47 quicklinks, 13 diaries, 350 comments [3 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008 at 9:13:00 AM (0+)
|
|
Editeurilla
Ace reporter strikes again! Thanks, Editilla~New Orleans News Ladder by Bruce Biles (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 8 diaries, 20 comments) on Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008 at 12:36:14 PM (0+)
|
|
Reply: Hello New Orleans
On my way back to you in a few weeks. I hear no news on 17th...just checked this morning. Hold down the fort..or the levee. by Georgianne Nienaber (153 articles, 47 quicklinks, 13 diaries, 350 comments [3 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008 at 12:44:18 PM (0+)
|
|
This was such a great read
Now people that say National Geographic and the History Channel are their favorite channels to make them appear smarter than the average bear, will appear baboon. Another means for population control in Africa are energy conservationists. By forcing Africans to adopt solar and wind power for fuel when they have oil and coal... keeps African countries from developing beyond their 3rd World status. Conservationists are easily manipulated by propaganda that supports their cause, no matter if entire groups of people suffer or not. It does not matter that CO2 is not a pollutant and it is not causing Global Warming, they are willing to sacrifice many African lives to limit the CO2 output Africa would put out, which is far less than the CO2 volcanoes erupt into the atmosphere every year. I am willing to bet that if they were proposed with a corking solution for all the worlds volcanoes they would try it just as Greenpeace tried to ban the entire element chlorine. by Orwells Ghost (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 3 comments) on Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008 at 2:56:10 PM (0+)
|
|
Reply: Dear Mr. Ghost
You are one of the few people I have encountered who "get" what is happening in Africa. Would you consider writing about it for these pages? Thank you. by Georgianne Nienaber (153 articles, 47 quicklinks, 13 diaries, 350 comments [3 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008 at 3:37:19 PM (0+)
|
|
Outstanding Article
Congratulations Georgianne on a very well written piece. There is something particularly repulsive about hyprocisy. I am sad to read that Nat Geo is as awful behind the scenes as Greenpeace. by John Haigh (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 118 comments) on Wednesday, Jul 16, 2008 at 8:01:23 AM (0+)
|
|
Towards a Better Understanding of....
How to Keep Gorillas in Existence. A very interesting article, Georgianne, and coincidentally makes the content of George Ayittey's (native of Ghana, author and professor of economics at American University in Washington DC) July 2005 interview by Bill Moyers at PBS, that I recently read, all the more significant. Ayittey made some very strong points about the reasons for the economic and social disasters in almost all of Africa, which included the Congo. I recommend others read it even if it is 3 years old. (I look forward to my copy of Ayittey's latest book, Africa Unchained: The Blueprint for Africa's Future, currently on order.) The major point is that the reason for these economic and social disasters is not that colonialism ruined that area of the world. If that were the case, he points out, then there would not be the success seen in Botswana. And I checked online to see if, 3 years later, this success continues. It appears that Botswana is still the "star" in Africa as Ayittey described it in that interview. What makes Botwsana different from Congo, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and virtually all of subSaharan Africa, according to Ayittey, is that "it's the only black African country which went back to its roots and built upon its own indigenous institutions." Free press exists in Botswana as well as an independent judiciary, not a simple rubber stamp of the executive arm of the government (President, etc.) It was in December 2006 that the San people (Bushmen of the Kalahari) won their court case against the government to be allowed to return to their desert homeland. They had been relocated 4 years previously from the Kalahari Game Preserve into camps that were livable but "bleak" according to BBCNews Online article. The government's argument was "the bushmen did not belong to the Kalahari any more because their lifestyle had changed, and their presence interfered with conservation." Now, however, they would be allowed to return. I've not read anything that shows that this did not actually happen and I'm sure if that had been the case, it would have made the news on BBC just as had the previous years of dispute. by Kitty Antonik Wakfer (26 articles, 27 quicklinks, 9 diaries, 163 comments [15 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Wednesday, Jul 16, 2008 at 8:40:46 PM (0+)
|
|
I loved this parody of a left-wing nutcase critique!
Wow, I've got to hand it to you -- this was a brilliant parody of a left-wing nutcase critique, in which rational thought is replaced by abstract notions of "justice for the people" who are everywhere and always "kept down by The Man". You write that "multi-national and strategic interests, including those of Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi, fueled by white supremacy and cloaked in the mantle of 'conservation,' killed the mountain gorillas." Yeah, it wasn't the people who pulled a trigger, it was "strategic interests" -- brilliant! You didn't say it directly, but certainly implied, that the deaths and murders of thousands of people in DRC/Rwanda are similarly caused by "multi-national and strategic interests fueled by white supremacy and cloaked in the mantle of conservation." What a clever spin to your parody. Those evil, nefarious white people, always trying to resusitate the Colonial Project! Yeah, no one talks about that anymore; it was brilliant to remind people of that old hackneyed bit of propaganda. Anyway, I enjoyed reading your humorous piece, and I look forward to your next one on how space aliens turned your son into an olive. by File Cabinet (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1 comments) on Thursday, Jul 17, 2008 at 3:37:39 PM (0+)
|
Want to post your own comment on this Article? 
|
||||
|
||||||||||||||
Must Read (0) 
Well Said (0) 
News (0) 
Touching (0) 
Funny (0) 
Supported (0) 
Interesting (0) 
Inspiring (0) 
Valuable (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tell a Friend:
|
Copyright © 2002-2009, OpEdNews |
