Jason Russell: Kony2012 and the fight for truth

In March 2012, US charity Invisible Children launched a film, Kony2012, in a bid to highlight the barbarity of a Ugandan warlord. It became a viral hit online, but the media frenzy proved too much for campaign organiser Jason Russell, who had a very public meltdown. 

"The only way a video could get more viral is if Susan Boyle and the Cat Bin Lady teamed up to eat shit out of one cup," said Charlie Brooker. "It looks like a T-Mobile advertisement shot by the Pepsi Max pricks… with a charismatic front man who looks like an Abercrombie & Fitch version of Jesus Christ."

"On the one hand, there was Bono saying Jason Russell deserves an Oscar, and Oprah wants to fill stadiums for me, and Ryan Seacrest wants me on American Idol," he says. "And on the other, there were people saying, 'These people think they're white saviours trying to save Africa', and 'the money goes to corrupt places', and 'there is a special place in hell for you'.

Ten days later, he ripped his clothes off his back, ran out naked into the street near his San Diego home, slammed his hands repeatedly on to the pavement, battered himself against parked cars, and screamed obscenities until he was eventually led away by police. This, too, became a viral video."

The thing that sucks the most is that it gives people an excuse not to do anything. People are like, 'Didn't that film-maker take all the money and then go crazy naked in the street?'"

read interview done by Carole Cadwalladr
Jason Russell: Kony2012 and the fight for truth | World news | The Observer