nbc changes account of reporters kidnapping in syria
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Media » TV

NBC changes account of reporter's kidnapping in Syria

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today NBC changes account of reporter's kidnapping in Syria

US television network NBC News
Washington - AFP

US television network NBC News has altered its account of the 2012 kidnapping of its top foreign correspondent, saying the masked men who snatched him and his team in Syria were Sunni militants, not Assad forces.

The story was the latest setback for NBC, which is reeling from the suspension of star news anchor Brian Williams after he admitted embellishing an Iraq war story and amid accusations he embellished other stories.

In a statement posted late Wednesday on NBC's website, chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel said a review of the kidnapping found that "the group that kidnapped us was Sunni, not Shia."

But he blamed the error on an "elaborate ruse" by the kidnappers to convince Engel and his five colleagues that they had been seized by a Shiite militia loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad known as the shabiha.

The review came after The New York Times contacted NBC about the story, and Engel said he reached the new conclusion after contacting "multiple" US law enforcement and intelligence sources with direct knowledge of the case.

Engel and his team were kidnapped for five days in December 2012, and immediately after their release appeared on the network's "Today" morning show.

The Times said Engel's team was likely taken by a Sunni gang linked to the Free Syrian Army alliance of anti-Assad rebels.

The group, known as the North Idlib Falcons Brigade, was led by Azzo Qassab and Shukri Ajouj at the time. And, the newspaper said, the kidnapping ended when a separate rebel group, Ahrar al-Sham, freed Engel and his team.

NBC executives were told of Qassab and Ajouj's possible role in the kidnapping, former NBC employees and others involved in the search told the Times.

But Engel nonetheless blamed Shiite captors on air.

NBC is separately under growing pressure to fire the 55-year-old Williams, who reportedly earns about $10 million a year and has scooped up more than two dozen industry awards during his glittering journalism career.

arabstoday
arabstoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

nbc changes account of reporters kidnapping in syria nbc changes account of reporters kidnapping in syria

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

nbc changes account of reporters kidnapping in syria nbc changes account of reporters kidnapping in syria

 



GMT 06:46 2017 Wednesday ,04 October

Pope to bless icon for Holy Family Journey to Egypt

GMT 15:51 2017 Tuesday ,22 August

FVP informed on arrangements for Sudan in meetings

GMT 04:55 2016 Monday ,03 October

Alec Baldwin nails it as Trump on ‘SNL’

GMT 21:15 2017 Tuesday ,19 September

Security forces intensify their presence in Kirkuk

GMT 03:39 2017 Saturday ,30 September

Al Jawaheri economic improvement

GMT 10:29 2018 Saturday ,06 January

Siniora meets German Ambassador

GMT 06:27 2017 Tuesday ,26 December

Embassy in Russia marks National Days

GMT 19:06 2017 Thursday ,05 January

Moral policing in Maharashtra, too

GMT 11:49 2017 Wednesday ,26 April

OIC Condemns Attack on Military Base in Afghanistan

GMT 18:35 2017 Monday ,27 February

UK foreign secretary leaves Egypt
Arab Today, arab today
 
 Arab Today Facebook,arab today facebook  Arab Today Twitter,arab today twitter Arab Today Rss,arab today rss  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
arabstoday, Arabstoday, Arabstoday