Louis Theroux has responded to criticism ahead of his new BBC Two documentary, The Settlers, in which he meets and interviews the growing ultra-nationalist community of Israeli settlers.
The documentary film, which airs on BBC Two and iPlayer later this week, sees Theroux travel to the West Bank, one of the key areas in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
When the documentary was first announced, Theroux describe it as “a story specific to a time and a place and a region, but it’s also a universal insight into tribalism and the ways in which we can blind ourselves to the humanity of those around us”.
Now, in a column for Deadline, the documentarian has opened up on the challenges of covering the topic and his response to those accusing him of “platforming” extremists.
He wrote: “The narratives around Israel and the Palestinians are fiercely contested. No piece of coverage will please everyone. In general, I try not to over-worry about how my reporting will be received.
“I trust my instincts. I accept mine is just one contribution in the vast offering of coverage. Others are valid. Not to mention that I am not a typical journalist and certainly not a current affairs reporter. I have my own way of tackling my subjects, driven by my own personal curiosity.”
[image id="2251654" size="full" title="louis-theroux-settlers-bbc" alt="Louis Theroux staring blankly at the camera in Louis Theroux: The Settlers." classes=""] Louis Theroux in The Settlers.Describing his approach to documentaries, Theroux added: “I try to hear from those at the heart of a story who, broadly speaking, are viewed as being ‘in the wrong’.
“Naturally, giving airtime to these people can lead to accusations of ‘platforming’. I understand the charge. My decision to film means potentially millions will be exposed to the views of people who may be racist or fundamentalist or bigoted.
“But making a documentary isn’t just a matter of handing someone a megaphone and saying ‘have at it’. It’s a process of asking the right questions, challenging, contextualising.
“Doing journalism. I believe that, if done in a way that is considered and forensic, this approach gives viewers access to attitudes and ideologies that is more powerful for being unmediated.”
Over his career, Theroux has led hard-hitting documentaries around controversial subjects, including The Most Hated Family in America, Forbidden America and Louis and the Nazis.
It’s not the first time he has made a documentary in the West Bank either, with his 2011 film Ultra Zionists also covering the topic of ultra-nationalist settlers.
Newsletter: Daily NewsletterTitle: Never miss a thing. Get the best of RadioTimes.com sent to your inbox.Description: For details on how we use your data, please see our privacy policy.Layout: horizontalEnvironment: live-likeLogged In Body Copy: Sign up to be the first to know about breaking stories and new series!Logged In Success Message: Thanks, you are now signed up to our daily TV and entertainment newsletters! We look forward to sending you our email updates.Logged In Preferences Hyperlink Text: To manage your email preferences, click here.Logged Out Body Copy: Sign up to be the first to know about breaking stories and new series!Logged Out Success Message: Thanks, you are now signed up to our daily TV and entertainment newsletters! We look forward to sending you our email updates.Logged Out Sign In Message: Sign in to/ register for a RadioTimes.com account to manage your email preferencesLouis Theroux: The Settlers premieres on BBC Two and iPlayer on Sunday 27th April at 9pm.
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