Kidnapped in Somalia

CNN International talk to Colin Freeman and José Cendón about their kidnap ordeal in Somalia. The duo were kidnapped on November 26, 2008 and held for some six weeks. The pair don’t appear to have feared for their lives and seem remarkedly relaxed about their experience, although it seems unlikely they’ll be heading back to that particular part of the Horn of Africa any time soon. No word has been made of any ransom payments in the case

Canadian freelance journalist Amanda Lindhout and Australian photographer Nigel Brennan who were kidnapped in August 2008 are still being held hostage in Somalia. Abdifatah Mohammed Elmi and Marwali, who worked as the duo’s fixer and driver respectively, were released in January 2009. We contine to follow the plight of Lindhout and Brennan on this post. The contrasting experience of the two kidnap cases does make you wonder if there is one rule for freelancers and one for staff journalists.