New York, 26 November 2009 (Somalilandpress) – The Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement after confirming the release today of Canadian freelance reporter Amanda Lindhout and Australian photojournalist Nigel Brennan, both held in Somalia since August 2008:
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“We are relieved that the Amanda and Nigel are now free and that their ordeal has come to an end,” said CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon. “Our thoughts are with them and their families.”
In his acceptance speech at CPJ’s International Press Freedom Awards dinner Tuesday night, Somali journalist Mustafa Haji Abdinur spoke about the enormous challenges of covering the conflict in Somalia.
Free at last, free at last. And it will be a Christmas Gift to their live ones.
It should have happened in first place. Pirates should respect Journalists and the International Immunity attached to their work. These pirates should relinguish this grab and demand huge randsom mentality. It might prpbably be okay to go after those vessels who illegally fishing and others are dumping nuclear waste in Somali Territory. But please, please, leave the ordinary people alone. You are disgracing all Somali people's good reputation.