Journo focus of new TV doc

SATURDAY, 9 p.m., HBO airs “Jim: The James Foley Story.” The handsome, young US freelancer whose Aug. 19, 2014, execution at the hand and knife of ISIS’ Jihadi John turned the stomachs of the whole civilized world.

His mother, Diane: “He was oldest of our five. A voracious reader eager to learn, know, help, he had a curiosity about life and other cultures. To him, everyone had a story. You’re in need, he’s there. Jim chased the world one day at a time.

“Eager to travel, be where it’s happening, he became a crisis journalist. A Jesuit school’s history major, fluent in Spanish, he went to Phoenix’s inner city, Chicago’s jail, to spread hope, help unwed mothers, hear people who had no voice. Against everyone’s advice, it led him to Iraq, Libya, Syria.”

His father, John: “After his University of Massachusetts master’s, he wanted to write. How do you feel if your kid wants to do something? You’re proud of him. Happy he found his passion. His last written article was about ISIS’ rebellion.”

Did our government help? His father: “No.” His mother: “Our country did not help.”

His father: “America needs a hero.”

Jim’s brother Michael then told me: “I’m the next oldest. Separated by two years, we were polar opposites. I’m in finance. Jim couldn’t even add.”

Clouding up, he added: “I still have his toothbrush that he left in my house before he took off. My wife never asked me to throw it away.”

“I am biased in a critical way. He suffered for our pain. I told him not to go.”

Did Jim write a last letter or send anything back to the family?

“A fellow hostage brought us his belongings in two little bags.”

Saturday, 9 p.m., HBO. “Jim.”