THE RORY PECK AWARDS 2004
Sponsored by Sony

Jane Regan

Haiti

Finalist: The Rory Peck Award for Hard News

Jane Regan was the only cameraperson in Cap-Haitien when it fell to the rebels. She knew this was a pivotal moment. The only satellite dish on the island was gorvernment controlled and rebels had cut off the telephone system. Regan thought of the web site she had recently set up with her partner Daniel Morel. She knew that if she could get access to a laptop she could try and send her pictures to APTN by ftp. It was a method she was to perfect after the crisis ended as she continued to send vital images out of the troubled nation.

Camerawoman's Comments

"There were times when I had to make a decision whether or not to shoot pro-Aristide demonstrators and/or police, and there were more than a few times when I pointed the camera to the ground. I was hit by rocks, severely gassed (pepper and tear) a couple of times, shoved and pushed, and hit by bullet shrapnel once on the day the paramillitary 'rebels' took over Cap-Haitien. I do not regret the risks I took because I covered incredibly intense moments and have outstanding images as a result.

Witnessing the disintegration of the country I love was a depressing experience. Although it's easy to get carried away with the 'zeal of the shoot', the fact is I have witnessed death, violence and intimidation on a scale I hope I never see again."

Biography

Jane Regan is a writer and filmmaker who has lived and worked in Haiti for ten years. A dedicated supporter of democracy and human rights, she has worked for non-governmental organisations and the 'alternative' press. She has produced numerous documentaries, mostly for US Public Broadcasting System (PBS). She was also director for the Haitian Information Bureau, of Sommerville Community Access TV in the US, and has taught and developed courses for the University of Massachussetts-Boston Community Media and Technology Programme.

Awards 2004 pictures

The Trust and Sony

Winners

Finalists

The Freelancers' Choice 2004

Judging Panels

Farewell from Miles Flint

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