Frontline Season 26 Episode 4 On Our Watch
- November 20, 2007
On Our Watch, the fourth episode of the 26th season of Frontline, tackles the issue of genocide in Darfur. The episode sheds light on how the United Nations and the African Union failed to stop the genocide while it was happening, despite the fact that they were warned about the impending danger years in advance.
The documentary shows how the situation in Darfur escalated from a long-standing conflict between nomadic herders and settled farmers over resources into a full-blown genocide. It covers the efforts made by NGOs and the international community to raise awareness and provide aid to the victims of the conflict.
What makes the episode particularly compelling is the human stories it tells. The show features interviews with survivors of the conflict, as well as members of the UN and the African Union. Their testimonies provide a sobering perspective on the human cost of the genocide and the challenges faced by those trying to prevent it.
One of the main themes explored in the episode is the role of the UN and the African Union in preventing genocide. The documentary highlights the shortcomings of both organizations, as well as the reasons why they failed to take effective action. It also shows how politics and bureaucracy got in the way of stopping the genocide.
Another important aspect of the episode is its critique of the media's coverage of the conflict. The documentary argues that the media largely failed to report on the genocide while it was happening, and that this lack of coverage contributed to the international community's inaction. The episode shows how journalists on the ground in Darfur risked their lives to report on the conflict, and how their work helped raise awareness of the situation.
Overall, On Our Watch is a powerful and thought-provoking episode of Frontline. It provides a comprehensive picture of the genocide in Darfur, and challenges viewers to consider the role they can play in preventing such atrocities in the future. If you're interested in world events and want to learn more about the challenges of conflict resolution, this episode is a must-see.