John Pilger is one of the worlds pre-eminent investigative journalists & documentary film-makers. His best-selling books of reportage which include Heroes & Hidden Voices have in the words of Noam Chomsky been a beacon of light in often dark times. In Freedom Next Time he looks at five countries in each of which a long struggle for freedom has taken place; in each the people having shed blood & dreams are still waiting. In Afghanistan Iraq & South Africa there has been the promise of hope & even an official freedom but the reality of these divided societies is that they are still waiting for real freedom. In Palestine the cycle of violence continues with no resolution in sight. & the island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean is a microcosm of the ruthlessness of great powers. The island was sold by the British to the American military in the 1960s. The indigenous population descended from slaves were forcibly removed to the slums of Port Louis in Mauritius. They have continued to fight for the return of their homeland ever since
- three years ago the High Court granted them the right of return but this has subsequently been blocked. The island remains the USs third biggest military base; a base from which they are able to launch attacks against the Middle East. Once again John Pilger gives a voice to the people living through these momentous times & in gripping detail shows us the lives behind the headlines.