Independent Lens

S24E07 The Picture Taker

Ernest Withers, a civil rights photographer and covert FBI informant, led a life filled with complexity and contradiction. Operating from his studio in Memphis, Withers captured nearly 2 million photographs that served as invaluable documentation of Black history. However, his posthumously uncovered role as an FBI informant casts a shadow over his legacy. This revelation raises questions about his true allegiance: was he a trusted ally within the civil rights movement, an adversary, or a blend of both? The episode delves into the nuances of his impactful yet contentious life.