Richard Engel is Missing in Syria; NBC News Enforces News Blackout

[brooklynite]

Source: Gawker

NBC News chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel has gone missing in Syria, according to Turkish news reports. The reports also say that Aziz Akyavaş, a Turkish journalist working with Engel, is unaccounted for. NBC News has been successfully keeping Engel's status subject to a news blackout—one to which Gawker agreed until now—for at least the past 24 hours.

Turkish newspaper Hurriyet is reporting that Engel and Akyavaş were last known to be in Syria and haven't been in contact with NBC News since Thursday morning. The news has been reported widely in the Turkish press over the past 24 hours, including by Turkish news channel NTV, which presents itself as an international partner of MSNBC. It's also been widely distributed on Twitter.

But NBC News has been asking every reporter who inquires about the report to participate in a news blackout. It has also taken to Twitter and asked people who repeated the Turkish reports there to take them down. You can see here a screengrab of the Twitter account @NBCComm asking a Twitter user who had mentioned the reports to urgently call a cell phone number (that account has since been taken down).

NBC News declined to comment for the record about Engel's whereabouts, but asked Gawker not to report what it characterized as "rumors" about Engel's current status.

Read more: http://gawker.com/5969029/richard-engel-is-missing-in-syria-nbc-news-enforces-news-blackout

---

Reportedly, fighting in Central Damascus has flared up this weekend.

[Duer 157099]

1. Oh Shit.

Shit shit shit!!

[PatrynXX]

62. Way risky

Think he new it would get him one day. Just that he knows the language. Every time he goes to these area's I keep thinking someones gonna nail him.. although in an area like that. and he's not in contact. it's probably a bomb. not a kidnapping

[Mojorabbit]

103. I adore his work. I hope he is ok. nt

[Scairp]

104. I think he's alive

Remember when Marie Colvin was killed the world knew within hours. Same thing with Tim Hetherington in Libya. If the Syrian regular army has him, well, I don't think they would murder a Western journalist outright. They might hurt him. I don't know about the Turkish guy, he might be in more jeopardy. If they did take them they would probably want to scare the shit out of them so they wouldn't try to come back into Syria to tell the world what is happening there, and it would no doubt succeed because his employers would NOT send him back if they get him back in one piece. Richard's a pretty smart guy and he can take care of himself. There could be a very good reason he has his head down. I talked to my husband about this all evening, how much I liked this guy and how worried I was about him. I hope we know where he is by tomorrow.

[Hayabusa]

2. If true, this is very very bad.

[SoapBox]

3. omg...

I am SO tired of these news people being sent into the middle of nasty shit.

Hey ABC, BBC, CBS, CNN, NBC, NPR, PBS...STOP sending reporters into these areas!

[iandhr]

6. I am pretty sure Richard Engel wants to be doing what he is doing.

[monmouth3]

23. Not if he (they) were kidnapped which is what I'm getting from this...n/t

[iandhr]

48. Of course he doesn't want to be kidnapped.

My point was that some journalists volunteer for that kind of duty.

[pscot]

51. He's a war correspondent

He goes where the fighting is.

[iandhr]

54. I am aware of who he is.

I often find his reports to be insightful.

A poster was criticizing NBC for sending him to Syria.

I was saying he volunteers to go where danger is.

[Scairp]

72. That's true

No one twists the arms of war correspondents to go to these combat zones. They know the danger. And the more times they go the more likely it is they will get captured or killed. I really like him and I very much hope he is only in hiding or getting the hell out. He has been there quite a long time and has no doubt attracted a great deal of attention to himself from the Syrian thugs running that country.

[brooklynite]

8. So you'ld rather not know what's going on?

Going into a war zone is the only way to find out what's happening in the War (unless you propose to rely on propaganda from either side), and many a reporter volunteers to go.

[aquart]

26. They feel it endangers him to broadcast how valuable a target he is.

So we can endure a day of ignorance.

[gholtron]

12. Can we send a few Fox commentators?

I can think of a few that we can send that won't be missed.

[leftynyc]

59. Commentators sit on their asses and pontificate

Engle is the real thing - an actual war journalist. He's in my prayers.

[bettydavis]

16. sorry but I thought that's what journalists were for...

Who else would go in there and tell us what's happening? A plumber?

[Posteritatis]

70. "War correspondent" isn't a job that's involuntarily assigned to people. (nt)

[Codeine]

97. They go where the news is, silly. nt

[iandhr]

4. I always admired the courage of journalists who do this kind of reporting.

[onehandle]

5. Fuck. nt

[Swede Atlanta]

7. I pray for his safety.......

He offered such insightful reporting and commenting on events in some of the most dangerous places on the earth.

I offer his family and friends hope for his safe return.

[Gothmog]

55. Mr. Engel will be in my prayers also

I hope that he is returned in good health

[Gothmog]

113. Engel was recused

He was on the Today Show just now

[bettydavis]

9. this would be a HUUUUUGE loss for all of us...

Great journalists are priceless. God speed Richard. Hope he's safe.

[Cleita]

10. Oh no! Not Richard. Sending positive thoughts for his safety. n/t

[myrna minx]

11. I wish them safe passage.

[mzmolly]

13. Oh

no.

[warrior1]

14. he's been missing since Thursday last week.

[Rhiannon12866]

74. I checked and no tweets from him for 10 days

Unless NBC took them down. And the most recent ones were from Egypt...

[grasswire]

15. damn damn damn

Prayers for his safety.

[SummerSnow]

17. oh no..i hope he is found safe

[Old and In the Way]

18. One of the best at what he does...Hope they are safe. nt

[elleng]

19. Damn.

Thoughts. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[freshwest]

68. Coudn't quite picture him, so I googled him before I saw the pictures upthread.

I'll be sending thoughts for his safe return to that image, for what it's worth. His Wikipedia page says he is fluent in Arabic and that may help. He and Aziz are missing together. Hope they are found alive and return home soon.

[Rocky888]

20. I had a horrible feeling

About Richard going to Syria. I even told my husband last week that i was worried about his safety in this particular war. He is such a great American, and one of the few credible journalist we have left.

[warrior1]

21. last message on twitter was on the 6th of Dec.

https://twitter.com/RichardEngel

[msanthrope]

22. Not good. nt

[MessiahRp]

24. I sure hope he's okay.

He's one of the last legitimate journalists we have.

[Duer 157099]

25. All I can think is that he is going to come back with a really good story

That is all I can allow myself to focus on. He's going to come back. He's going to have a good story.

I have such fondness for this man. He's going to come back, with a good story.

[Mira]

33. I'm honestly calmed by your post. Thank you n/t

[Duer 157099]

114. OMG I am so relieved today!

Happy happy happy!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014341193

[question everything]

42. I hope so (nt)

[Odin2005]

27. Oh no!

[loyalkydem]

28. I'm a big fan of his. Hope he's okay

[mimi85]

87. Me too!

He's pretty good friends with Rachel, she must be freaked. Great journalist. Damn....

[warrior1]

29. I have to say that The Blaze is really pushing this story and really no one else.

https://twitter.com/search/realtime?q=richard+engle&src=typd

[melody]

39. A news blackout was requested n/t

[valerief]

30. No, not Richard!!!! nt

[cliffordu]

31. Fuck. I hope he's OK.

Dude has a brass soul, no fear.

Probably the best war correspondent working since Christine Amanpour stopped working in the field.

[Rowdyboy]

41. A brass soul indeed....

[Mira]

32. Oh NONONONONO this is disturbing me terribly n/t

[Beacool]

34. Oh, boy...........

I wish both of them a safe return.

[DeschutesRiver]

35. If there is a rescue in progress, I hope it works

He is a brave guy, who lets the rest of us know what is going on in places where we can't go.

I'm a fan.

[FirstLight]

36. what is the protocol for this sort of thing? why the blackout?

...I am missing something?

[catbyte]

37. Oh, shit...

Here's hoping for the best.

[Shireling]

38. His last tweets

were about Egypt, so I assume that is the country he was tweeting from.

This new is from "The Gawker".

Is that a reliable source?

Sounds like "The Inquirer".

If this is true, I hope he is found soon, but I question the source.

[Cleita]

43. I googled and there are other sources reporting this story as well. n/t

[jwirr]

40. This is horrible news. I pray he is safe and just reporting. Of all the people telling me what is

going on in the ME he is the one I trust.

[shireen]

44. i wish they had not publicized this

If Engel is in a bad situation, news that he is missing will flag him as a high value target, and put him in even more danger. That's why they needed a blackout. Damn. I hope he's OK. I really like the guy.

[dorkzilla]

58. Agreed

As I understand it, Gawker is reporting this as its being openly reported in the foreign press.

[TDale313]

45. I really, really hope he's ok.

He is a truly brilliant and courageous journalist at a time when our media has been so weakened. I am a huge fan. Heard the first rumors of this last night. Still holding out hope that the stories are mistaken or that there is a positive outcome to this.

[JohnnyRingo]

46. Oh no!

I lik Engel and his on the spot reporting. It's a dangerous job, and I fear the worst.

I always wondered how that Australian reporter Michael Ware, who spent like eight years living in Iraq (and apparently drunk most of the time), survived his tenure.

[amandabeech]

75. Michael Ware developed PTSD and was forced to retire.

He really was, as CNN used to say, "The Incomparable Michael Ware."

Richard Engel is as good, but I miss Michael.

I hope that he has found something to do with his many talents, and that he has or will have his PTSD symptoms ameliorated.

IMHO, his drinking was a way to cope with the trauma that brought on the PTSD.

[Ghost of Tom Joad]

91. I had not heard that, so sad.

I always thought they were both very balanced in their reporting, here's hoping we won't have more bad news this December

[amandabeech]

95. Yes, no more bad news. n/t

[justiceischeap]

47. 54 War Correspondents KIA in WW2

70 KIA first half of 2012.

I was watching a documentary over the weekend (can't recall the name right now but it was about war photographers) and I think they said that 900 journalists have been KIA since WW2. It also talked about how journalists used to be off-limits but now, in many cases, are now specifically targeted. Apparently that is the case in Syria.

I hope Engel is working on a story and that he is safe. He is needed.

[Dollface]

49. I pray this is not true and not just because he is serious eye candy. He is the best in his field.

The last time I saw him on the news he was in the midst of a fire fight in Syria. I feared for him more than I ever have before. His knowledge of the middle east is invaluable in assessing the BS from politicians.

[creeksneakers2]

50. There is no better reporter

None braver either. I pray for his safe return.

[PCIntern]

52. Oh God...

one can only imagine what would be facing him if he were taken captive. Extremely upsetting...what horrible few days this has been.

[fightthegoodfightnow]

53. SAY IT IS NOT SO

.

[ellie]

56. What the hell?

[Dustlawyer]

57. He is the best over there by far. He lived and worked in Egypt for years when he was young.

He speaks some of the languages over there and is usually well received for doing so.

[blaze]

60. Damn. nt

[Rhiannon12866]

61. Oh, no!

We're always concerned about him! Just hope his experience and street smarts are able to see him through...

[aquart]

63. Y'know what? This sounds like a ransom negotiation.

Like they know they're being held and by whom.

[MFM008]

64. love ya Richard

praying for your safe return.

[annabanana]

65. Holding out good vibes for the bravest man on TV..

Come back safe, Richard.

[heather blossom]

66. OMG-NO

I pray for his safety. He is an outstanding reporter.

[MyOpinion-2]

67. I’m going to say a prayer for them too.

I really admire Richard’s bravery. I hope they both are ok.

[Cooley Hurd]

69. Richard is very smart and savvy - I have a hunch he will be fine...

....sure hope that hunch pans out.

[Rhiannon12866]

71. Turned on MSNBC as soon as I got home, forgot about the news blackout

Nothing on Twitter, either, since anything's been taken down. I follow Richard Engel, but nothing from him for more than 10 days and that was from Egypt...

[Cleita]

73. I'll be surprised if MSNBC is able to make Rachel shut up.

She and Richard seem to be very close.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

76. Rachel will shut up

if NBC convinces her it's in Engel's interest, that it will help the negotiations.

[dmr]

84. This is what I'm hoping.

That he is underground, and looking for an escape plan. Or maybe is traveling now on his escape plan.

Stay safe, Richard, please. My heart breaks thinking of the worse.

Peace.

[Rhiannon12866]

78. I was thinking exactly the same thing... ;)

Actually, I checked for tweets from Rachel first, since I follow them both. NBC can take down tweets, but they can't muzzle her and she's the most popular on air host they have...

[AngryOldDem]

81. I was thinking the same thing.

But who knows what's going on behind the scenes.

[JI7]

82. if it has to do with him doing a story she would

[TDale313]

92. If she honestly believed...

That it would put him in more danger, I don't think she'd report anything.

[Cleita]

93. Yeah, we'll see. She'll be coming up next after Ed.

I'm sure she wouldn't do or say anything that could put him in harm's way.

[Cooley Hurd]

85. Gawker was, IMO, irresposible for reporting this.

If Rachel hasn't said something about it, then, clearly they want to keep it quiet for a reason.

[Rhiannon12866]

101. You're absolutely right, if his safety depends on secrecy, she'd do any and everything she could

I just hope so much that this has a happy ending...

[politicat]

77. Please be keeping your head down and maintaining radio silence, Mr. Engel. N/t

[AngryOldDem]

79. Damn. Just damn.

I have always admired and respected his reporting. I have always been afraid for his safety.

A true journalist.

I hope he is somewhere safe.

[DCBob]

83. me too.

I hope he is ok. He is one of the best.

[Scairp]

80. I'm confused

I'm hearing his last communication was from Egypt but they say he's missing inside Syria. Did he go missing heading back to Syria? Five days, if this is true it is not very good. I really hope someone is hiding him and he's alright but incommunicado.

[creeksneakers2]

86. Yes

He was in Syria last. MSNBC.com has an NBC Nightly News report dated December 13. It has Richard reporting from Allepo, Syria.

[corneliamcgillicutty]

88. Richard Engel is the real deal--

a brilliant and dedicated correspondent. I pray for his safety. He is THE BEST!

[Slit Skirt]

89. oh god...

please pray and think good thoughts

[Matariki]

90. Oh no. That's terrible.

Good thoughts and prayers for him.

[Chemisse]

94. I've always admired his courage and his good quality reporting.

My thoughts are with him tonight.

[renate]

96. oh no... I feel as if something has happened to a friend

Silly, I know, but having seen him in my living room for years (and with a little crush on him too), I feel as if I know him. This is terrible.

[TDale313]

98. Yeah, kinda feel the same way.

Hoping the stories are wrong or that this has a positive outcome. My heart sank when I first read this.

[glinda]

105. My heart sank also. Have been very worried about him lately.

[Fridays Child]

99. I remember when he reported from the roof of the Baghdad Palestine Hotel, in the early days...

...of Bush's Iraq invasion. That rooftop camera was on 24/7 and I believe other reporters may have used it, as well. Anyway, he'd get in front of the camera, in advance of his official broadcasts, and he'd talk about things like how little sleep he'd gotten or how long it had been since he'd been able to shower and wash his hair. It was just routine stuff--ramblings, really--but it conveyed a sense of what a great person he is and how he's so dedicated to his profession.

I hope with all of my heart that he turns up unharmed.

[panAmerican]

100. I always pray for that fearless man, now moreso

I've always appreciated his ability to get to the heart of the story. I will pray and keep hoping for the best.

[Cleita]

102. It seems there is nothing new to report. n/t

[liberalla]

106. This is scary sounding. I love that guy. Please be safe and survive this...

I hope he surfaces soon with some incredible story of his "close call" reporting adventure in Syria.

I've got to be hopeful. He's the best.

[Cooley Hurd]

107. I *think* he's been released??? (from a Turkish source)

http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ntvmsnbc.com%2Fid%2F25406942&act=url


ntvmsnbc

Updated: 09:09 GMT December 18. , 2012

Turkish journalist working in Syria on behalf of the American TV NBC NBC's Middle East envoy Richard Engel and his co-Aziz Akyavaş Cilvegözü Border Gate was released.

The first description of Akyavaş'ın'' Cilvegözü border Kilis, was'' being released.
</snip>

[DakotaLady]

108. You were spot-on Cooley Hurd!

The lead world news on nbc.com is that Richard Engel and the NBC news team has been freed from their captors in Syria.

Announced on 7 plus minutes ago.

Wonderful news indeed ...

[Rhiannon12866]

109. Remarkable find!!! Great news!

Wow! Thanks so much for letting us know!

[Cooley Hurd]

110. It wasn't clear in the translation, but...

...it looks to be true now!

[Rhiannon12866]

111. I'll be very interested to hear what all happened, but this is the most important part, he's free!

And so is his companion. Such great news!

[Neurotica]

112. Good news-the WaPo says he's been freed following a firefight between his captors and rebels

Here's the story:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/nbc-correspondent-richard-engel-and-crew-freed-in-syria/2012/12/18/93d53c7e-48ff-11e2-b6f0-e851e741d196_story.html