I recently learned that on September 11th 2008, Jan Egeland will interestingly enough be holding a speech in Norway relating to the ’strengths and weaknesses’ of journalism:

Role of the press; war/conflict/emerging nations

Jan Egeland, (Norway), former chief of United Nations Humanitarian Division has been followed by journalists for years. He will do a speech on our strengths and weaknesses. Journalism as a piece in the game of nations.

Global Investigative Journalism Conference 2008

It is my personal opinion that before we start evaluating other people’s activities, we should take responsibility for our own, but I very much doubt that Egeland has any intentions of holding a speech on his dealings with the media (in particular the BBC) regarding the Niger famine that never was but which Egeland nevertheless took credit for having “solved”.

Why was there no famine? Because the BBC and I sounded the alarm!

Jan Egeland in The Famine Scam (2008)

In the documentary The Famine Scam, which won 3rd prize at the Monte Carlo Film Festival, Jan Egeland is faced with the direct question: “But was there a famine in Niger?” In front of the camera, Egeland hesitates saying there are many ways to define a famine, then insists, emphasizing:

Yes, there was a famine.

Jan Egeland in The Famine Scam (2008)

With a local population saying that despite life in Niger being fairly tough, they didn’t hear of anyone dying from not having food to eat, Jan Egeland must be the last man standing who maintains that there actually was a famine in Niger 2004-05.

Copyright Eden Foundation 2008

Alex de Waal, professor at Harvest University and one of the world’s leading experts on famines and aid programs, had the following to say about the crisis-situation in Niger 2005, in which Jan Egeland was one of the main driving forces:

The Niger crisis is an example of how a crisis in an African country is portrayed according to a particular script, which doesn’t actually fit the reality of that crisis.

Alex de Waal in The Famine Scam (2008)

All too often, Africa is being molded into a certain script, which is the way the West has viewed Africa for as long as I can remember, and still is. We must never forget however that it is they who must live the consequences of our actions when we paint stories that are not true. Behind the “millions of people” making the headlines daily are unique faces with individual life stories, who deserve the very same respect as you and me.

Copyright Eden Foundation 2008

I would love to hear Jan Egeland hold a speech of the particulars of the famine scam that took place in Niger in 2005, but on this particular subject, Egeland does not seem very keen on sharing his personal knowledge and experience. Too bad, for I’ve come to find true stories the most fascinating ones, as there is more to be learned from reality than from invented versions.