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The importance of historical memory
The rich and powerful would not only prefer to forget certain episodes of history but will actively do what they can to make sure they are buried, says KEITH FLETT
John Pilger speaking outside the Old Bailey, London, ahead of a hearing in Wikileaks founder Julian Assange's battle against extradition to the US

THE mainstream media is focused on a 24-hour cycle of the current news. Historical context and memory is at best partial.

So, for example, when it comes to Israel’s genocide in Gaza the reference point is the Hamas attack of October 7. The wider picture of 75 years since the Nakba when Palestinians were forced off land that became Israel, and the many military actions of the Israeli government since do not feature. If they did a very different understanding of what is happening now might arise.

Another example in a different way is the recent death of John Pilger, one of the leading investigative journalists of the last 50 years. Such journalism is essential if democracy is to function in anything like an effective way. Pilger received many tributes, but from Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer there was silence. They apparently could not recall anything worthy of note about the journalist.

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