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Subscribe to RSSBy Jonathan Woods, msnbc.com: (updated at 9:37am EST on 3/18/2011) The New York Times says four of its journalists who were reported missing while covering the Libya conflict have been found.
The Times reported on its website that the four were captured by forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi and will be released Friday. His son, Seif IslamGadhafi, gave the information to Christiane Amanpour in an ABC News interview.
Times Director of Photography Michele McNally confirmed to msnbc.com that this was the last known image of the photographers (taken Friday, March 11) before they went missing on Tuesday, March 15.
Paul Conroy / Reuters
New York Times photographers Tyler Hicks (right, in glasses) and Lynsey Addario (far left), run for cover during a bombing run by Libyan government planes at a checkpoint near the oil refinery of Ras Lanuf on Friday, Mar. 11. The other photojournalists pictured, starting from second left are John Moore of Getty Images, Holly Pickett and Philip Poupin. Hicks and Addario, along with NYT correspondents Stephen Farrell and Anthony Shadid, were reported missing near lines of advancing Gadhafi forces two days ago, the NYT announced on Wednesday.
Before their disappearance, the four were last in contact with editors on Tuesday from the northern port city of Ajdabiya, where they were covering the retreat of rebels.
Holly Pickett, a photojournalist pictured above with Hicks and Addario, spoke with msnbc.com in a phone interview from Cairo.
Pickett said it was the most chaotic, intense situation she has ever been in.
“Bullets were whizzing past us. You could see the dust stirring on the ground from bullets zipping past our legs. I’ve never taken this much fire before,” she said.
At the end of the day, opposition forces were in a full-scale retreat.
New York Times executive editor Bill Keller said there were unconfirmed reports that the journalists had been detained at a government checkpoint between Ajdabiya and Benghazi, a rebel stronghold. If so, Keller said, they would eventually be taken to Tripoli.
Related content:
Slideshow: Unrest in Libya
You would think that Obama would "at least" comment on this?
After all, New York Times is one of his Best Cheerleaders!
Oooops.....he's busy packing to go to Rio de Janerio for a week on Saturday to give a speech and sightsee with Mama and the girls for Spring Break! Mama and the girls just unpacked from their Ski Trip to Colorado!
Stupid me!
that barry ain't much of a shutter bug...either...lol
To Patty.....Ignorance is bliss!!!
President Obama...
And no doubt if he did, you'd be on here complaining that it was insignificant and he was wasting his time (And you actually think that because you haven't seen him, no one is in contact with Libyan officials to figure out where they are?)
obama obama obama
i wana go to rio...recon they will fly air force one down and pick me up...oh well...
Its not Obama's fault that these people are missing or in Danger, Its not his fault that there was an earthquake or Japans devistation. I think the point here is that during times like this the "Leader of the Free World" should be spending more time in the Oval Office working to find solutions than he is.
Friday morning when news of Japan hit DC he went golfing???? When asked by a reporter "Why he spent so much time on the golf course with things like this going on?"
Obama's answer was: "Im not spending time, Im investing time on the Golf Course"
Wow now thats an example of "Hope".......
James:
Once Obama starts acting like a President, we'll use the honorific again. I'm seeing no leadership from him. I had real hope when we elected him, now I can't wait until 2012 when I get to change my vote.
hope they bring us back a t-shirt that say's...had a good time in rio on your dime...
Risk comes with the territory!!
Hopes and prayers that these 4 people will return home safely!
They were bravely doing their job, just like the guys in the nuclear plant in Japan! (which Obama is also ignoring!)
We know what Obama is not doing. I think you give Obama too much credit. He's in over his head.
President Obama
President Obama needs to pull his head out of the sand and make some official comments about certain things going on in the world, don't you think James? Since you obviously have a very high opinion of the President.
Obama Obama Obama Obama
How dare you compare photographers chasing fame and money with those who knowingly face death to get a monsterous disaster under control to save the future of a nation. You should be ashamed.
I guess the order to send in an entire carrier task force carrying sailors and Marines, food, water, and helicopters to deliver it/them all just came out of the blue.
What we need is for the right wing nut cases to get their heads out of each other's posterior and stop kissing.
@Rounder
Get a clue. These journalists are not in the middle of a civil war for fame and fortune. This is what real journalists are trained to do. You should be the one ashamed for flaunting your ignorance of real journalism.
Speaking of fame and fortune, why don't you critizice the "journalists" that cover Charlie Sheen, or cover non-news ad nauseum about ACORN, Planned Parenthood or what the First Lady wore last Sunday. Or all those non-jounalists like Glenn Beck or Bill O'Reilly that sit behind desks pointing fingers at anything that will get them more ratings.
These NYT journalists are covering historic events so that we can have an accurate record of it. How dare you belittle their work and effort?
I am so,so,so tired that people keeps blaming obama for every single @!$%# that happens @ any corner of the world.
Obama wasn't elected to save the world,he was elected to solve US matters,not what's happening in japan,libia or elsewhere.
Every single country has its president,let them solve their issues because obama has no time to solve it for them.
I bet my two nuts that none of you calls your neighbor to resolve your problem,so why the F.... obama shall go any where to solve problems that aren't our business ?
If he choose to have some time with his family what is wrong with that ? all of us does the same,looking to spend more time with our loved ones.
In regards of the journalists missing let us don't forget that them choose that job,is as solely and personal choice of them,obama didn't send then over there so obama has nothing to do with that.
Why yes Patti, it IS Obama's fault! Please, find a new hobby.
It's not Obama's fault. He should just make a stand, any stand. If you don't stand for something you will fall for anything.
Amen!
Doesn't sound to me like she's blaming anyone, merely commenting on our President's inability (or unwillingness) to comment or get involved in anything lately. Does anyone remember how he used to publicly comment on just about everything? It was common knowledge that he was one of the most visible presidents we've ever had. Then all of a sudden he slipped in the shadows and the only time we see him is when he's photographed with the wife and kids jet-setting around the world on our dime. Even those that supported him in the election cannot deny that this complete 180 is a little odd.
Perhaps being president isn't all he chalked it up to be...methinks he may have underestimated what he was walking into. But if he can't be the voice of America in these dark times, we need someone that will.
@ fedup and justdontgetit
He asked for the Libyan leaders to step down so I believe that would be taking a stand. Just because he doesn't shoot first and ask questions later like his predecessor doesn't mean that diplomatic channels aren't being used. Or would you rather have Obama to pull a G W Bush? Destroy the government and run up a trillion dollar bill on restoring the country.
He does stand for something! HOPE! Duh!
(and no, I'm not blaming him, there's nothing to blame here)
whenever Obama talks..its like listening to my dad trying to tell a joke...very boring and uninspiring..so I am glad he doesnt talk much!
Geez you guy have to blame Obama for everything? GET A LIFE!!!!
Had one, Obama screwed it up
Just like you guys like to blame everything on G. W. Bush, get a life and get used to it, there will be more to come.
Why not, we blamed everything on Bush!
I don't 'get' why we were even there - except to sell papers. Who really gives a rats a$$ what goes on in Libya?! Let them kill each other and for once - let's MIND OUR OWN BUSINESS! Their civil war has nothing to do with us. The U.S. never should have lifted sanctions against them in the first place. Reimpose them and then forget they ever existed. The last thing we need is to get involved in and then fight someone elses war. We have enough problems globally - that we created and need to fix. STOP adding to our troubles. We can ill afford it from a financial perspective AND the loss of any U.S. military lives for that country is totally unacceptable. Hire a few sharpshooters and take Ghadafi out - if you want to do the world a favor. Other than that - leave that country and those people to their own devices. Maybe they want to fight and win their own civil war. Hey - we did it against the Brittish and didn't require intervention. Our ragtag army managed to prevail - theirs can too, without anyone elses help. We here in the U.S. really need to learn how to 'just say NO'!
"We" are not there, as in the U.S. military. I agree that the U.S. can not afford to get involved in a Libyan civil war. However, if journalists were to "mind their own business", they wouldn't have much news to report, would they? Your notion that anything happening outside the U.S. cannot affect the U.S. in any way is adorably naive. What happens in the world, from Japan to Libya, affects the entire global community. Even if something didn't directly affect your life, why would you wish to live in total ignorance of world events?
These are journalists, working for private news services, who are risking their lives to bring the world the truth of what is happening. Would you prefer to rely solely on Ghaddafi's propaganda? You seem to be confusing the government with news services.
I understand the military is not involved (yet) and it's private journalists sent by news outlets in this country and many others, which is fine. When you send a journalist, and they agree to go, you both assume the risks of being in the middle of someone elses civil war. Did they 'adorably and naively' believe that nothing would happen and that IF it did - they would be kept safe and return unharmed because they had Ghadafi's word on it?!??!?! Who's naive now?!?! This is a man we spent years refusing to do business with because of his atrocious dictatorial mindset and we're (meaning the NYT) going to take his word that the safety of American journalists is guaranteed?! I may be dumb but that ideology makes them 'dumber'.
Not to bust your bubble but we did get intervention. Benjamin Franklin went to France and got them to help. Because of the French we were able to get the upper hand and go on to win our Independence. We helped create Gadhafi with everything we turned a blind eye to and also the other amenities we gave him even though we new about the Pan-am flight. We are morally obligated.
What an ignorant comment. Why not leave these things to the adults who understand the importance of the mid-east and whether or not they overthrow dictators. Some of us also understand the value of a free press in covering these issues.
I believe if you read the story, they are photographers...not journalist. They're just taking picture but depending on what's on their camera could very well be tried as spies.
It appears that this story has stirred several streams of conversation; first, Our President for better or worse has chosen to not speak on this issue the way some think he should, but I faintly remember a comment or two about him speaking to every topic in the news and people complaining that they were tired of hearing his comments. Secondly, I believe that America is more involved than any of the commenters know or have considered...for example we always have photgraphers and journalists on the ground "watching" these types of activities and we never discuss why, could it be that we have interests beyond oil in Libya and other Middle Eastern Countries and leaders. I can say that the members of the US Armed Forces are aware that everything is related and all things matter!
"freedom aint free!"
that picture says a thousand words...
So many vacations, so little time.
hope he flies on air force one to save the taxpayers some money...what a loser..
Just can't leave politics at home can you? G W Bush took more vacations than any president before him and not a comment from the right wing nuts. Hell, he spent half the presidency in Texas.
All you whinning about blaming Obama,Just like you were blaming Bush for everything the last 10 yrs.I'll tell you this much,Bush would have already implemented a no-fly zone and the bombing would stop.Obama is weak and the whole world knows it.
I can translate:
"If warmonger Bush were President, he would have sent our troops into a third war with a soveriegn nation that never attacked us, against the will of the rest of the world (and the people of America). Even sending military jets into sovereign airspace would result in the U.S. killing Libyans in their own country, converting more and more moderate Muslims into anti-American extremists.
In addition, Bush would help give credibility to Ghaddafi's claim that the U.S. was responsible for the revolution, making his support even more powerful. Not to mention, Bush would cause the deaths of thousands more American men and women soldiers, and his third war for oil would be as unpaid for as the first two. In ten years, long after Bush has grown tired of Presidentin', the U.S. would still be stuck in the unwinnable war in Libya, and another President would have to find a way to fix it.
The only people who would support Bush's futile violent rampage would be those ignorant enough to equate violence with strength and restraint with weakness."
FTFY
and march madness is more important
So you defend your prez by knocking ole W.That argument has gotten weak.Bush would have put jets in the skys and possibly taken out 1-2 of them to send msg and ground the rest.Saved 1000's of lives.We have the weakest pres in the history of this country and he continues to prove it everyday.
Why don't you translate "FTFY" for me. I'm dumbfounded as to what you "fixed" if that is what you are attempting to convey by those four letters.
I was thinking maybe he meant to type "VSRW."
Mitch, you're probably right because Libya has oil but all we have to do is look at Iraq and Afghanistan to see what Bush would have done. Over half the world still has a dislike for America because of Bush and don't forget he put this country in debt up to it's a$$. Yeah, good old Bush and his complete disregard for other country's governments.
leanderm,
I think you were listing to Rush a bit much yesterday.
The whole MM thing probalby took 15 minutes of the Presidents time. So Rush completely blew that out of proportion. Ridiculous. And it is nice to do somehting fun and lighthearted once in a while, especially when dealing with all the tragedies and issues going on out there the rest of the time.
Amen!
Xavaria, I agree with you 100%. We have enough problems, so why take on anymore? They have enough people to handle what is going on over there. I also agree, they need to get some really good sharp shooters to take Ghadafi out!! That would solve the main problem.
you make me laugh Patty, What an interesting life you must have. Oh look, there is traffic, must be Obama's fault. I stubbed my toe, Obama messed up again...It's raining....you guessed it... Obama
and you make me laugh ej,here have some more koolaid .
i smell gas and don't try to blame the dog...you guessed it...
just like the dems did for 8 years with Bush, get used to it
Thanks Obama for the $4 gas, 10%+ unemployement.
hi patty! i tried going back to the bush years to see if any of your posts criticized W and his family for their vacation plans. i couldn't find any, but that is probably because msnbc deletes posts after a certain time period. or, you're a partisan hypocrite who holds different people to different standards. i'm not really sure which it is. have a good day!
He don't have to be on vacation to grt nothing done.He gets nothing done all the time.Hes book smart but presidentially stupid.
none of your business
the topic was a bout photographers missing...welcome to the vine...and load the bong...
We know what Obama is not doing. I think you give Obama too much credit. He's in over his head.
Haters gonna hate. If the President doesn't give enough press conferences and speeches, the haters say he's not talking enough. When he does give speeches and press conferences, they say he is doing too many photo ops when he should be working.
It's a trap!
Obama has been in our face since he took office, now when the going to tough he's nowhere
every picture tells a story don't it...
Follow the bouncing ball you PATTY haters. Read her post again, maybe a third time and you'll discover that she did not blame this situation or anything for that matter, on President Obama.
I'll quote her so most of you won't get lost attempting to find her post.
"You would think that Obama would "at least" comment on this."
Why is it that none of you "commentors" had nothing to say when she wished the four journalists hope and their safe return home.
COMMENT ON THAT!
come on this is the vine man..i've been talked down to by every one who ever posted.. it's the vine.....big deal..
It's amazing with all this turmoil in the world and our mohammad obama jerk is not making any comments, he's not for the people of USA, he's for the big corp. pulling his strings, SHAME ON YOU Mr. PRESI@!$%#!
You mean to tell me The N Y Times reputation did not preceed these Four? NO PASSES? "I'm From The TIMES ,DO you know who THE EFF I AM?" "Oh Silly Me", THAT only works at D N C Confabs, Or Cntr. for Am. Progress conventions. BLOOD MONEY,PART TWO?? That'll make NYT stock REALLY GO Down. What's Sulzberger/Keller do NOW? "HEY... while you're Theerre..." What's four Progressive Cheerleaders Worth anywho? I'll Start The bidding at: 76 Progressive Virgins for Heaven-- Here on Earth for any budding JIHADIST to experience. Are there THAT MANY? COUNT OFF! How about a SPECIAL COMMORATIVE INSERT in The Sunday Times: "Moammar Q., A MAN FOR OUR TIMES" (GET IT ?)
I understand sending reporters to cover fires, ballgames, council meetings...I've never understood sending reporters into warzones. I'm surprised more aren't killed or taken hostage. They know the risks so I don't want to hear one complaint.
You conservatives are just itching to get us into another war/police action/nation building fiasco. You just love pushing our kids into the meat grinder just as long as you don't get thrown in too. Obviously you've never been in combat otherwise you would know that the last place we want to be is in another Cluster like you got us into in the first place.
I'll tell you what. You want it so bad? You pay for the thing. How about you and your sons and daughters go into the breech. Maybe then you will realize that war or whatever the hell you folks are calling it this week, is the last option, not the first.
Paper tigers, that's all you are.
Hopefully these journalists make it safely home!
As for President Obama, people bitch about when he comments on things and people bitch about when he doesn't comment on things. Just like they did for Bush. Just like they did for Clinton. There will always be people complaining about everything (if we found the cure for cancer someone would end up complaining about something). Try not to let the negativity get to you, stay positive!
Love conquers all.
those four reporters think this is a game? They use real bullets.
Wasn't this about missing photographers? Wtf are you people complaining bout Obama for? You know maybe if one of the main bodies of government wasn't stacked against him, keeping him from doing anything, he'd be in Washington right now doing his job, but it's hard to do your job or get your plans done when people who have to agree with you keep telling you NO. Our problems are Not ones you can just fix over night it will take time and alot of patience but then again all good things in life take a long time to mature and it's only once something is gone that you realize how good you had it.
Where are their personal photo sites where they post the 100's of 1000's of photos they take all over the world? I'd like to see them.
Ahhhhhh that's easy. Just visit your local Barnes & Noble or Borders bookstore, and bring a hundred dollars with you.