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Evangeline
Jun 20th 2009, 07:07 PM
KABUL June 20, 2009, 05:09 pm ET · A New York Times reporter known for making investigative trips deep inside dangerous conflict zones escaped from militant captors after more than seven months in captivity by climbing over a wall, the newspaper said Saturday.

David S. Rohde was abducted Nov. 10 along with an Afghan reporter colleague and a driver south of the Afghan capital, Kabul. He had been traveling through Logar province to interview a Taliban commander, but was apparently intercepted and taken by other militants on the way.
The Times reported that Rohde and Afghan reporter Tahi Ludin on Friday climbed over the wall of a compound where they were held captive in the North Waziristan region of Pakistan.

The two then found a Pakistani army scout, who led them to a nearby base, the Times said. On Saturday, the two were flown to the U.S. military base in Bagram, the Times reported.


http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105720448&sc=fb&cc=fp

Wow, I never even heard of him being captured. With 24 hour cable news, we sure don't get much news, do we?
Michael
Jun 21st 2009, 10:00 AM
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105720448&sc=fb&cc=fp

Wow, I never even heard of him being captured. With 24 hour cable news, we sure don't get much news, do we?

I read at another source that this was quiet because the NYTimes insisted on it.
Evangeline
Jun 23rd 2009, 01:06 AM
Yeah I heard that too....on another forum. I wonder how that makes it better for the kidnapped person?
Lily
Jun 23rd 2009, 07:40 AM
From what I've been reading, many kidnappings will go unreported. The rationale seems to be that with a high-profile kidnapping, media attention can elevate the value of the kidnapped individual thus making it more difficult to negotiate a release. In some cases, media attention can make execution more valuable than release. Makes sense.
Michael
Jun 23rd 2009, 08:26 PM
From what I've been reading, many kidnappings will go unreported. The rationale seems to be that with a high-profile kidnapping, media attention can elevate the value of the kidnapped individual thus making it more difficult to negotiate a release. In some cases, media attention can make execution more valuable than release. Makes sense.

Your analysis makes a LOT of sense. The media is the conduit of political control, entertainment and terrorism - with agendas that don't always benefit the innocent parties involved.

Not too surprising to see than the NYTimes is savy to the reality of media power and how it is normally abused (and best avoided when their own personal and direct interests are at stake).