David P. Gilkey (January 5, 1966 – June 5, 2016) was a U.S. photojournalist for National Public Radio in the United States, for whom he covered disasters, epidemics and war.
It was originally reported that Gilkey and his native Afghan handler Zabihullah Tamanna were both killed during the War in Afghanistan by a rocket grenade while covering a skirmish between the Taliban and Afghan forces in the vicinity of Marjah, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. One year after their deaths, NPR clarified that a firefight with troops loyal to a Taliban leader named Mullah Ismail — not to be confused with another Mullah Ismail of the Taliban — had occurred while the reporters were on convoy and Tamanna was killed by gunfire and Gilkey by burns with smoke inhalation.
Table of Contents
- 1 Death
- 2 Career
- 2.1 Pictures on the Radio (POWERHOUSE BOOK)
- 2.2 Cirque Du Soleil Anniversary Collection (1984-2005)
- 2.3 Detour Before Midnight: Freedom Summer Workers: James Chaney, Michael Schwerner, and Andrew Goodman Made an Unscheduled Stop
- 2.4 Cirque du Soleil Presents: Quidam - Transform Your World [VHS]
- 2.5 Teal Time In Kansas
- 2.6 Harry's Razor Blades Refills - Razors for Men - 12 count
- 2.7 Gildan Men's Regular Leg Boxer Briefs, Multipack, Mixed Blue/Grey (5-Pack), X-Large
- 2.8 DAVID SEEDS Roasted and Salted Original Jumbo Sunflower Seeds, Keto Friendly, 5.25 Oz, 12 Pack
- 2.9 Cirque du Soleil 3-Pack (Quidam / Dralion / Journey of Man) [VHS]
- 2.10 ProGlide Shield Men’s Razor Handle + 4 Blade Refills
Death
David Gilkey was taking pictures and covering stories of war-related events in Afghanistan around the time of his death. Gilkey was able to travel to Marjah in southern Afghanistan to cover multiple attacks between Taliban fighters and the Afghan military. Gilkey was traveling with the Afghan military to cover fights near Marjah. A second vehicle was following behind Gilkey’s, but this group was not harmed in the incident.
Context
At the time of Gilkey’s death, the United States had been at war in Afghanistan for around 15 years although its involvement can be traced back to 1979 when the former Soviet Union invaded the country and the United States armed the Afghanistan rebels, which later gave rise to the Taliban. After the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, the United States led by President George W. Bush attacked Afghanistan and the Taliban leadership for harboring Al-Qaeda and its leader Osama bin Laden. The United States involvement in Afghanistan entered a new phase when President Barack Obama began to draw down troops and Afghanistan entered talks with the enemy. In summer 2015, Taliban forces and Afghan forces fought for Kunduz. The Taliban regained control of the area. Gilkey and his Afghani handler were covering the war during this new phase.
Impact
Since the War in Afghanistan began, over 26 journalists were killed and Gilkey and Tamanna became the 27th and 28th journalist to be killed there, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Reactions
After Gilkey and Tamanna were killed, many of their colleagues at NPR paid tribute to the pair but especially Gilkey. According to Tom Goldman, “David was engaged, and you can see the care, interest, and love of the city through his work. He was both a journalist, and an artist, whatever the topic. A kind person as well. It’s quite a combination.
Another representative from the Detroit Free Press, Nancy Andrews, a director, said, “David could do work to make you weep, to make you feel. He could find the beauty in the horror.”
Irina Bokova, the director-general United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, stated that she condemned the attack on David Gilkey and Zabihullah Timanna’s lives. In the interests of society, media workers must have the right to practice their professions in safe conditions.
President Barack Obama noted after Gilkey’s death, the photographer “captured a breadth of truths across the world and showed the humanity of those he photographed, even under the most difficult circumstances.” Gilkey had previously met Obama as a White House News Photographers Association’s award winner.
Career
Following an internship with Boulder Daily Camera, in the late 1980s Gilkey was hired on as a Staff Photographer. During his time at The Camera his hunger for international work grew. He convinced editors to grant him a leave from his daily work and paid his own expenses. With some financial assistance from Knight Ridder Gilkey, he traveled to South Africa to report on the end of Apartheid and the Rwandan genocide.
In 1996 Gilkey was hired by the Detroit Free Press and worked there for the Knight Ridder media company for 11 years. During his time at the Free Press Gilkey began his coverage of the War on Terror traveling to Afghanistan and then Iraq numerous times.
In 2007, he joined National Public Radio as a staff photographer and video editor. Gilkey covered conflicts and wars in many countries for NPR, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Israel/Palestine and Gaza. Over the span of almost 20 years, Gilkey photographed events such as the ending of the apartheid regime in South Africa, the earthquake in Haiti, and the Ebola incident in Liberia.
An anthology of his work titled Pictures on the radio, spearheaded by former Free Press colleague Chip Somodevilla, is scheduled to be released January, 2021.
Last update 2021-08-06