Remembering Danny Pearl in the Berkshires

Reporters, editors and sources are remembering slain Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl in the Berkshires of Massachusetts due to the recent announcement of a movie being made about his life, according to an article in the Berkshire Eagle on Sunday.

Ghanashyam Ojha wrote, “Glenn Drohan, editor of The Advocate in North Adams and someone who remained a lifelong friend after working with Pearl in his early days at the Transcript and The Eagle, said he is skeptical but hopeful about the upcoming film.

“‘Hollywood has a way of trivializing truth and glorifying spectacle, and I doubt that Angelina Jolie, however glamorous, can match Mariane Pearl’s natural beauty and intelligence,’ he said. ‘Still, if this movie brings some recognition of Danny’s integrity, humor, zest for life and compassion for all humanity — and with luck, much-needed money to the Daniel Pearl Foundation — it will be worthwhile.’

“Drohan said he is still coping with his grief over Pearl’s brutal death, which was reported by his captors on Feb. 21, 2002.”

Later, Ojha wrote, “Lewis C. Cuyler, who was the business editor at The Eagle when Pearl joined as a reporter, said Pearl’s story should be told to the world.

“‘I am so glad he is being celebrated, and the world should know about Danny as a journalist,’ he said.

“Unfolding those past memories, Cuyler said, ‘You know, I was in my late 50s and he was in his early 20s. … To my surprise, he got it. He was very respectful.’

Read more here.