Oil Spill

(Picture source: treehugger.com)

Continuing the theme from last week's post, another area that is probably a bit undercovered in the mainstream media is the effect of American companies in foreign countries. Some of these companies can leave long-lasting effects on foreign people but not show the same kind of care they do in the U.S. because of the distance involved. I think 60 Minutes' story this week on Chevron's impact in Ecuador is a great look at a major conflict between an American company and a foreign country it left behind.

Reporter Scott Pelley first sets the table for the story in an on-set intro to his package. He tells of the most astounding number in this case, which is the $27 billion that a group of Ecuadorians are suing Chevron for. He also explains that Chevron is America's third largest company, giving the viewer important perspective on just how big the players are in this lawsuit.

The story then gives a good historical prospective to open up. There is video from the 1960s when Texaco, now owned by Chevron, first came to Ecuador in a partner deal with Ecuador's national oil company. Then, it cuts to shots of the problem that is left behind today by the oil drilling. It is pits that were dug for toxic oil waste that still have not been removed even after Texaco left. This is causing oil to remain in streams and on properties across Ecuador. The story then cuts to shots of one person who has one of the oil pits next to his house. He says the pollution leaked into his water well. This helps to humanize the story as it shows an example of how the pits have affected one Ecuadorian's life.

There is an excellent stand-up in this story about three minutes in after they talk with the man whose water is contaminated and an environmental advisor. Pelley walks through the Amazon jungle to a site where one of the oil pits are. He finds that there are pipes attached to the pit that drain water from the pit when it rains. There is water dripping out of the pipes so he collects some with his hands and smells it. He then says he can clearly smell the oil in the water. That is an excellent way to show the viewer the problem first-hand. It also shows what a reporter can find when they get up-close to the conflict in the story and how helpful it can be in the story. I liked how Pelley got into the really remote areas of Ecuador to report the story the best that he could.

Pelley also talks with the judge in this lawsuit case in a small Ecuadorian town. It is probably not easy to deal with a foreign country's government, especially the judicial system which seems to have different laws and rules across different countries about who they will talk to from the media.

I also think Pelley benefited from being able to speak some Spanish. The judge spoke Spanish in his interview. Pelley also speaks Spanish with some other Ecuadorians who are part of the group suing Chevron as he goes to meet them near a remote river in the country.

I think this story is a great piece of reporting, with equal time spent on both sides. Pelley talks with a representative from Chevron who gives her side of the story and what she believes about the claims. This story has all the elements of great journalism as Pelley stops at nothing to get the interviews and perspectives he needs to show and tell the complete story.

Like I mentioned last week, my reporting is finished for the semester but I am always trying to stay in contact with people around town about possible stories. My goal is to continue to build more contacts that will lead to interesting and better stories. I am very satisfied about what I learned this semester in this class. I learned how to pull all the elements of great storytelling together. I am very excited to continue to build on my skills and keep improving as I head into my senior year.