WHERE IN THE WORLD IS?

Title: Where In the World Is?

Logline: Missing Journalists Around the World

Synopsis:

When you become a journalist there is a responsibility to share the news accurately, rapidly, and effectively but is there a responsibility to share the news no matter what it takes? Where In The World Is? Investigates five missing journalists from across the world who were investigating dangerous headlining stories and ultimately paid the price. These stories takes listeners to Syria, Mexico, Iraq, China and North Korea. In light of the recent disappearance of Minnie Chan in China this podcast delves into the potential horrors of being a journalist.

Episode Outlines:

Episode 1: John Cantlie (Syria) – 45min

Episode 2: Ham Jin Woo (China/North Korea) – 20min

Episode 3: Fred Nerac (Iraq) – 30min

Episode 4: Minnie Chan (China) – 20min  

Episode 5: Jorge Molontzín (Mexico) – 30min

Sources (uncontacted):

Kate Geraghty – Australian photojournalist (Episode 1)

Allyson Horn – Australian Correspondent in Jerusalem (Episode 1 & 2)

Cheng Lei – Former detainee in China (Episode 4)

Spokesperson for Committee to Protect Journalists

Spokesperson for Esafety Australia

Episode 1 Breakdown:

Run Time: 30 minutes

This episode will be broken down in four parts. What it means to be a journalist and a summary of the entire show, the war against the Islamic state and the disappearance of John Cantlie.

Part 1: What It Means To Be A Journalist

To become a journalist, one needs to prioritise objectivity, accuracy and sometimes creativity. You must know that your role is to serve society with news from around the world. Without journalists, those in power would not be held accountable for immoral decisions. Without journalists, families wouldn’t know about events that involve their loved ones. Without journalism society could very crumble to tyranny and dictatorships.

These responsibilities sometimes lead journalists to dangerous countries and people. Throughout this show, we will explore five missing cases of journalists who were last seen in Syria, China, Iraq, Mexico & North Korea. As of December 2023, there are 521 behind bars in relation to their duties. At least 54 are being held hostage. Over 103 journalists have been killed in the current war in Gaza.

However, 84 journalists have vanished.

Part 2: Summary of the Cases

As of 2024, Mexico is the leading country of missing journalists with over 30 currently unaccounted for. The second country of the highest number of journalists missing is Syria with 9. On the first two days of the Israel - Hamas war, two Palestinian journalists went missing. There are also two journalists missing in the wake of the Ukrainian and Russian war.

The first episode of this podcast will focus on the most well known case of a missing journalist – John Cantlie. The war against the Islamic state will be explored and the other eight missing journalists in Syria.

The third episode will take listeners to Iraq, coinciding with the information given in the first episode. This story will follow Fred Nerac and two others who have not been since March 2003. 

The third episode will explore the dangers of journalism in Asia, focusing primarily on North Korea and China. Ham Jin Woo has been missing since 2017 after being abducted on the Chinese side of the China – North Korea border.

Minnie Chan is an award winning diplomacy and defence journalist who went missing December last year in China. Conflicting reports have surrounded her disappearance ever since with some claiming she’s alive and well while others say she is still missing.

Lastly, Mexico is the most dangerous country to be a journalist in with the highest number of deaths and missing reports. This episode will follow Jorge Molontzín who went missing in 2021.

Part 3: The War Against Islamic State

Many coalitions began to join the war in the middle east in the early 2010’s with the escalation of the Syrian Civil War, War in Iraq and The War on Terror. Many call the war between 2010-present, “The War against the Islamic State” or “The War against ISIS”.

Between the years of 2012-2013, the same years John Cantlie went missing, there was an increased escalation of the Syrian Civil War after a ceasefire attempt failed. Countries all around the middle east such as Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan joined the fight between rebel groups such as Free Syrian Army and Islamic State.

The total death toll has now reached over 600,000 with the war still ongoing.

Part 4: Where in the World is John Cantlie?

John Cantlie, a British war photographer and correspondent has been missing for eleven and half years after being abducted in November 2012. 

John Cantlie was often known as a reckless but dedicated journalist who had a keen interest for adrenaline rising situations. He was known to love motorbikes, adventures but most importantly the importance of photojournalism.  

After reporting on other developing wars such as Afghanistan and Himalayas, he travelled to Syria in 2012 to document the civil war there. This decision led him to be abducted twice, one in July and once in November.  

Since then, speculation has surged after he was posted hosting an Islamic state propaganda series and is the only unaccounted for western journalist from the war in the Middle East.

This part of the episode will interview Kate Geraghty a former war photojournalist to get her insight into reporting on wars.

Notes:

This podcast was inspired by the profound and deeply moving podcast “Last Man Standing” by The Times.

When I decided to study journalism, I always knew I wanted to be a war and military correspondent. There is a running joke in my friends and family that once I graduate, I will never be able to find my passport again. This podcast idea probably doesn’t help my families fear of me being a journalist, but it shines a light on the dangers that journalists aren’t given enough credit for.