THE RORY PECK AWARDS 2006
Sponsored by Sony

STEPHEN DUPONT - Australian

Psych War in Afghanistan

Finalist: The Sony Impact Award

Startling scenes of what can be done in the name of a ‘just war’ captured during Stephen Dupont’s embed with the US 173rd Airborne Division. In their efforts to tempt Taliban fighters out of hiding, the Psychological Operations Unit are seen playing loud Western rock music. They also broadcast anti-Taliban statements over loud-hailers after troops burn the bodies of two Taliban fighters. The footage contains evidence that this was done to taunt other Islamic fighters. This film prompted the immediate suspension of psychological warfare operations by US Forces in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Cameraman's Comment

Biography

Stephen Dupont is a Sydney-based freelance photojournalist specialising in long-term projects on conflict and global social issues. He has worked in war zones round the world for 17 years, filming reports for SBS Dateline, ABC Foreign Correspondent and the BBC.

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