Tashakor is a Persian word meaning “thank you”. It is the word I heard the most in the harsh and risky environment of Afghanistan. To me it means that even in the deadliest place on the planet, or in the middle of a war, a reporter must look at the people and love them – as the great photographer Robert Capa would say..
My name is Nico Piro, I have worked as journalist since 1989. Presently, I am a special correspondent at Rai, the Public Italian Broadcasting System, working on Foreign Affairs topics.
I was born in 1971 in Salerno, a city on the Southern tip of the Amalfi Coast. I’ve been working as a journalist since 1989, when I started right after the end of the high school, and I stil can’t get enough of it.
In last decade I have focused my attention on international crisis and war zones. I try to give voice to the voiceless. My goal is to offer a perspective on these natural and man-made tragedies from the point of view of the victims, above all civilians.
I was awarded the:
– “Premiolino” (2017) for my coverage of 2016 US election and for being the Italian pioneer of mobile journalism
– “Alberto Jacoviello” (2016) named after of the most important Italian foreign correspondent
– “Giancarlo Siani” (2011) for the coverage of the story of anti-mafia mayor in South Italy (in cooperation with 3d News staff).
This award is named after a young Italian reporter killed by mafia in the 80s.
– “Premio Guido Carletti” Silver medal of President of Italian Republic (2010) for my reportage “The Trap” about the Afghan refugees in Patra, Greece.
– “Premio Paolo Frajese” (2009) for my coverage of 17/09/09 attack in Kabul against Italian troops. This award is named after one of the most famous Italian tv reporter.
– Premio Marco Luchetta (2009) for my reportage about child malnutrition in Sierra Leone. This award is named after a young Italian reporter killed in Mostar during the war in Yugoslavia.
– Premio Ilaria Alpi (2008) for a report about a Battle between Talibans and US Troops in Korengal Valley, Kunar Province, Afghanistan.
This award is named after a young female Italian reporter from RAI killed in Somalia during the period of “Restore Hope” operation.
– Special mention for “Premio Anello Debole” (2007) for my reportage about the situation in Kabul
I have also been nominated (shortlisted) at Premio Alpi 2011, Premio Luchetta 2016, Premio Luchetta 2018.
In 2015 indipendently I wrote, produced, directed, shot and edited “Killa Dizez – Life and death in the time of Ebola”, it is a 1-hour-long documentary about the Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone
It has been screened in festivals and events all over the world. For this work, I was awarded as “Best Emerging Filmaker” at TAFF 2016 – The African Film Festival – Dallas, Texas, Usa.
My books:
“Come si produce un Cd-Rom” (1997, Castelvecchi) not available in English, “How to produce a Cd-Rom”
“Cyberterrorismo” (1998, Castelvecchi); not available in English, “Cyberterrorism”
“Afghanistan: Missione Incompiuta 2001-2015” (2015 Lantana) not available in English, “Afghanistan Mission Unaccomplished 2001-2015”
In February 2019, is expected the release of “Afghanistan Mission Unaccomplished Part Two 2015-2019”
In September 2018, it is due the release of “Mojo” (Centro di Documentazione Giornalistica, Roma) a hand-book and field guide about mobile journalism.
I am directing MOJO ITALIA, the first Italian Festival about Mobile Journalism in Italy (21-23 of September 2019).
This blog is mainly devoted to stories and news from areas where crisis take places (economical one, conflicts and health emergency). In most of the cases, crisis take over the news for a limited amount of time. Unfortunately when the media attention fades, the crisis is usually still on going and destined to last often for years neglected by the rest of the world. This is why we use the term “forgotten crisis”. This blog is a little contribution to shred a light on them.
I try also to write also about mobile journalism, #mojo, new tools for story-telling in a flexible and budget-savy way.
TASHAKOR 