Two Fox News journalists kidnapped in Gaza: witness (Update: see Post #193)

Reuters ^

[slowhand520]

GAZA (Reuters) - Palestinian gunmen kidnapped two foreign journalists working for the Fox News television channel in Gaza on Monday, a witness said.

The witness, a Palestinian who worked with the two journalists, said one of them, a producer, was an American, and the other, whose nationality he did not know, was a cameraman.

The Fox News bureau in Jerusalem said it was checking the report.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the abduction.

The witness said two vehicles blocked the journalist's transmission truck in the center of Gaza City and a masked man put a gun to the bodyguard's head, forcing him to the ground.

The kidnappers then sped away with the two journalists.

Similar incidents in the past in Gaza have ended with the release, usually within hours, of kidnapped foreign journalists or aid workers.

Many of the abductions were carried out by Palestinians pressing a grievance against the Palestinian government or its security forces

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

She has been professional in her reporting always. That is why her delivery bothered me so. Always cool, calm and collected, Like Jennifer Griffith.

[shield]

Wonder if the terrorist have ask for a ransom? Of course, we'd not be told that. Most of those on these foreign assignments are insured...in case they're kidnapped. The insurers take-over if they are kidnapped with the intent of finding them...and if necessary will pay a ransom...now that will only happen, if nothing else works [like finding the kidnappers and killing them].

Praying for their safe return.

[Hatteras]

"TVNZ: "Palestinians held in Israeli jails in Gaza have appealed to their countrymen to help find" the two men... "Anita McNaught, Fox News staff and the Red Cross, have a statement from Palestinian prisoners in Gaza condemning the kidnapping."

Sounds like the prisoners have been informed as to what their future (or lack there of) might be unless Centanni and Wiig turn up alive soon.

Seems odd in light of the behavior we have seen with middle eastern bomb-toting extremists.

I am also still somewhat surprised with the virtual black-out of this story by the rest of the MSM, but one story on FOX led me to believe that there is some internal reason for the lack of publicity. Not sure why, just an impression.

[RDTF]

Continuing prayers

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

I guess if you are kidnapped by terrorists, you should not expect any compassion from the left:

http://poynter.org/forum/view_post.asp?id=11749

From BOB LAURENCE, TV critic, San Diego Union-Tribune: I'd like to offer a couple of possible reasons for the lack of attention given to the kidnapping of the two guys from Fox:

One is that, sadly, they are far from the first to be kidnapped, injured or killed. They are, alas, only the most recent two of many. The kidnapping or targeting of journalists in Iraq isn't the story it once was.

Second, Fox has deliberately set itself apart from other news media. Starting at the top with Roger Ailes, the Fox sales pitch has been to deride other media, to declare itself the one source of the real truth, the sole source of 'fair and accurate' news reporting. As a result, there's not a reservoir of kinship or good will with Fox on the part of the rest of the news media. You can't keep insulting people and then expect friendship when you need it.

They've made it a policy to keep a distance between themselves and the rest of the media, far beyond the usual competitive spirit, so that's where they are: at a distance.

bob.laurence@uniontrib.com

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At the risk of offending anyone, I have but one word to describe this man: Asshole

[acad1228]

I'm offended. I'm an asshole and this loser isn't fit to kiss my boots!

[jackv]

What a pig!!

[SE Mom]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1688267/posts

Thread up on this outrage...and thanks for keeping this one going.

[CindyDawg]

You are either with us or.......

[publana]

I am too shocked for words. I know many dems are mean-spirited and hateful, but to this degree? This man is truly vile.

Back to praying for Mr. Centanni and Mr. Wigg after penning that rag a nasty-gram.

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

The kidnapping or targeting of journalists in Iraq isn't the story it once was.

His ignorance in his commentary is certainly showing. Gaza is not in Iraq.

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | No word on Fox News kidnap

No word on Fox News kidnap

Julia Day and agencies
Wednesday August 23, 2006

MediaGuardian.co.ukThe fate of two Fox News journalists kidnapped in Gaza is still unknown, nine days after they were abducted.

Steve Centanni, a 60-year-old American, and his cameraman, New Zealander Olaf Wiig, 36, were abducted by gunmen from their TV van on Monday August 14 near the Palestinian security services' headquarters.

Their captors have not come forward with demands and the authorities do not appear to know who the kidnappers are.

Major militant groups in Gaza denied having any connection to the incident.

Most kidnappings in Gaza - more than two dozen foreigners have been snatched in the past two years - follow a clear pattern of demands, brief negotiations and the release of those abducted.

But press freedom organisation Reporters Sans Frontiers is becoming increasingly concerned that no group has claimed responsibility, despite many appeals for the release of the men.

"Foreign journalists have been kidnapped before in the Palestinian territories, but for the most part they have been treated relatively well and freed after just a few hours in captivity," said a statement from RSF.

"The leading Palestinian militant organisations have insisted that they are in no way linked to the abduction of Centanni and Wiig."

Around 30 Palestinian journalists staged a demonstration on August 19 to call for the release of the men, carrying banners that said "No to the kidnapping of journalists. Yes to freedom of the press."

The Palestinian prime minister, Mahmoud Abbas, said the release of Centanni and Wiig was a priority for his government.

New Zealand has confirmed its officials will stay in the Middle East for as long as it takes to secure the men's freedom.

Senior New Zealand diplomat Peter Rider, who arrived in the region at the weekend to lead efforts to secure Wiig's release, said no firm leads or information have yet emerged about the missing pair.

"At this stage I think its premature to say that anybody has any direct information or direct lines of communication with the kidnappers," he said in a radio interview.

"Everybody is under no illusions that this has potential to add to the [Palestinian] government's credibility, and everybody will be disappointed if they can't [find the kidnapped men]."

Mr Rider said kidnappers usually made contact within a week of the kidnapping, "but Gaza is a very confused place - it can drag on for quite a bit longer".

"We are preparing, if necessary, to be on the ground ... to support Anita [Wiig's wife] for as long as it takes."

Anita McNaught, Wiig's wife, has been speaking to anyone who will listen to try to free her husband, while Centanni's brother spoke to the Arabic-language TV station al-Jazeera to appeal for the men's release.

Micaela Schweitzer-Bluhm, a spokeswoman for the US consulate in Jerusalem, said the US government had not received any information on the journalists.

"We are working with the Palestinian services to try to find these individuals and ensure their release," she said.

She added that the US consul-general, Jacob Walles, raised the issue of the hostages in his meeting on Monday with the Palestinian president.

· To contact the MediaGuardian newsdesk email editor@mediaguardian.co.uk or phone 020 7239 9857

· If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".

Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2006

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In the beginning, I took the reports on faith that the Palis were doing all they could to assist.  Not anymore.

It seems to me it is only lip service.

[SE Mom]

Just.

Damn.

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

Kidnapping signals rising threat in Gaza | csmonitor.com

Kidnapping signals rising threat in Gaza

Abducted last monday, Olaf Wiig and Steve Centanni were among the few foreign journalists working in Gaza.

By Ilene R. Prusher | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
 

JERUSALEM – Busy with the war in northern Israel and Lebanon, most foreign reporters in the region had all but neglected volatile Gaza.

But two journalists from the FOX News Channel decided it was too important to ignore. Last Monday, US correspondent Steve Centanni and his cameraman, New Zealander Olaf Wiig, were working on a story when they were seized from their vehicle somewhere near the Palestinian security services headquarters in Gaza City.

They have not been heard from in more than a week. And in an unprecedented turn for journalists covering Palestinian affairs in Gaza, no group has stepped forward to claim responsibility or to set conditions for release. Officials at the interior ministry of the Palestinian Authority (PA), one of the offices leading the investigation, say that their leads in the case have nearly run dry.

(excerpted)

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CSM is on the excerpt list. Click link above to read article

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

More from Christian Science Monitor:

Reporters on the Job | csmonitor.com

WORLD

from the August 23, 2006 edition

Reporters on the Job

 Kidnapping in Gaza: The kidnapping of the FOX News Channel reporters obviously hits close to home ( see story). Staff writer Ilene Prusher is deeply concerned, and notes that she also finds it professionally frustrating. "There is a story to tell in Gaza, but I haven't been there in a while - in part because it's becoming too dangerous to go, and in part because I've been busy covering the Israel-Lebanon war. It's really unfortunate because there's a very important political and human story happening there, and we all want to be there to cover it.

"The foreign press corps in the region has generally thought that the threats in Gaza to the media are nothing like the ones we face in Iraq. Unfortunately, that's starting to change," she adds.

(excerpted)

 

[Txsleuth]

I just read on another thread...that Fox News is reporting that some group no one had ever heard of is saying THEY have Steve and Olaf...

And giving a 48 hour deadline for releasing some prisoners...

Just FYI>

[Txsleuth]

OH>..I just saw a picture on FOX NEWS from Al-jazerra with Steve and Olaf..

There is a video too...pass it on!!

[SE Mom]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1688566/posts

Thread up on it...

This...is not Hammas or Fatah. It is a new group- and it seems, well, ominous.

[SE Mom]

Are you seeing all this? See my post aboue for trhead on demands and pictures...showing video on FOX now...

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

I am scared for them.

I am interested in what Brit Hume has to say about this later. His analysis of the tape is eagerly awaited.

This worries me so, but I am trying to wait to take my cue from Brit.