John Pilger is a highly respected and accomplished author, journalist, and documentary filmmaker. He was born in Sydney, Australia on October 9, 1939, and was raised in the Bondi suburb of Sydney. Pilger's mother was a teacher of French, and his ancestors were of Irish, German, and English descent. From a young age, Pilger showed an interest in journalism, starting a student newspaper called The Messenger while in high school. He later pursued a career in journalism, completing a cadet-ship with the Australian Consolidated Press where he trained for four years.
Pilger is known for his hard-hitting and often controversial reporting style, which has earned him both praise and criticism throughout his career. He has twice been named Britain's Journalist of the Year and has won numerous awards in both the UK and US for his writing and documentaries. His work often focuses on issues of social justice, human rights, and the abuse of power by governments and corporations. Pilger is based in London and is known for his polemical campaigning style, which he describes as "secretive power loathes journalists who do their job, who push back screens, peer behind façades, lift rocks."
Throughout his career, Pilger has received numerous human rights and journalism awards, as well as honorary doctorates from several universities. He is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential journalists of his generation, and his work continues to inspire and inform audiences around the world. Despite facing significant opposition and criticism throughout his career, Pilger remains committed to exposing the truth and holding those in power accountable for their actions. In addition to his work as a journalist and filmmaker, Pilger is also a dedicated father, with two children, Sam and Zoe, born in 1973 and 1984, respectively. In his spare time, he enjoys swimming, reading, mulling, and sunning.