Kidnapped journalists are freed in Somalia

We 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…

“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. You can read his remarks here.