Reporter and writer. I cover energy, climate change and geopolitics. Contact me via my website www.alexanderckaufman.com and subscribe to kaufman.substack.com.

Nailed it! Reporters out in the field are the unsung heroes of journalism, digging up the raw truth that fuels the whole ecosystem.  What’s the wildest story you’ve chased as a reporter that made you realize how vital this work is?

I’m proud of many stories I’ve told over the years, but the riskiest reporting I ever did was this one: I went deep into the Brazilian Amazon to interview people from the Indigenous group that was supposed to have its land designated next, until Jair Bolsonaro won the presidency. I got to share the story of a woman who lost her baby because of his policies with the world. That felt like important work at the dawn of the Bolsonaro administration, and came with some real threat from illegal miners and loggers I encountered far from any authorities. A famous Guardian reporter died in a similar situation a few years later.

I’m proud of many stories I’ve told over the years, but the riskiest reporting I ever did was this one: I went deep into the Brazilian Amazon to interview people from the Indigenous group that was supposed to have its land designated next, until Jair Bolsonaro won the presidency. I got to share the story of a woman who lost her baby because of his policies with the world. That felt like important work at the dawn of the Bolsonaro administration, and came with some real threat from illegal miners and loggers I encountered far from any authorities. A famous Guardian reporter died in a similar situation a few years later. 

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/brazil-amazon_n_5e1e21c0c5b650c621e6ee90

I feel bad for the woman. Losing a child can not be easy. Were you able to help her through your interview?