New York, May 26, 2009– Following a Western news agency report in which a Canadian and Australian journalist held hostage in war-torn Mogadishu for nine months complained of poor health and urged their respective governments to help free them, CPJ issued the following statement today:
“We are alarmed by the reported statements by Amanda Lindhout and Nigel Brennan that they are sick and being held in harsh condition,” said CPJ deputy director Robert Mahoney. “We call upon the Australian and Canadian authorities to intensify their efforts to ensure their safe and timely release.”