ForumGarden

So I'm reading this article and full of sympathy when I come across this bit -



Other major news outlets, including The Washington Post, also refrained from reporting that the crew had been kidnapped. News organizations often fall silent when their personnel are taken captive, because they believe the journalists are more likely to be released if their disappearance does not draw media attention.


NBC’s Richard Engel, crew freed after kidnapping, death threats in Syria - The Washington Post





Are they as careful with everyone else's safety? Or is it balanced against the 'right to know'?

Yeah, that struck me a weird too. If another three Americans were captured, it'd be a media circus. Double standard is right.

The whole thing kind of struck me as weird. It seems that as soon as something like this happens to one of these reporters they end up getting promoted or something. I wonder if he will get his own show in a few months.

On the other hand it is feasible, a lot of people are being kidnapped over there. As far as I know 2 Russian reporters have been kidnapped and are up for ransom now.

Are they as careful with everyone else's safety? Or is it balanced against the 'right to know'?


I heard a theory today that the employer kept their mouth shut because it may have complicated the situation, it may have been better because it didn't encourage the kidnappers. A media storm about it would have.

Agreed, Scrat. Richard Engel is a very important newsman. Maybe the Syrians didn't know the big prize they had.