Journalist missing in Libya
May 19, 2011 | Government
The AP has reported that four New York Times Journalists covering the situation in Libya are missing as of Wednesday. The Journalist were last heard from on Tuesday as they were covering the rebels retreat from Ajdabiya and the Libyan officials told the newspaperthey were trying to locate the missing journalists. The newspaper is holding out hope that they were still alive in the custody of the Libyan government, but there are unconfiormed reports that Libyan forces had scaptured the foursome.
Bill Keller the executive editor of the newspaper said “We are grateful to the Libyan government for their assurance that if our journalists were captured they would be released promptly and unharmed”
The missing journalists are Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Anthony Shadid, the newspaper’s Beirut bureau chief; Stephen Farrell, a reporter and videographer; and photographers Tyler Hicks and Lynsey Addario. In 2009, Farrell was kidnapped by the Taliban and later rescued by British commandos.
“Their families and their colleagues at The Times are anxiously seeking information about their situation, and praying that they are safe,” Keller said.
The White House on Wednesday urged the Libyan government to refrain from harassing or using violence against journalists. Obama spokesman Jay Carney said the United States is firm in its belief that journalists should be protected and allowed to do their work.
This article was written by: Mark Muligan
