Okay, now it's getting weird. Like I said yesterday, Fox News reporter Steve Centanni has been kidnapped in Gaza, along with cameraman Olaf Wiig. And to say the American media has underplayed the story is an understatement.
Like Daniel Pearl and Jill Carroll before him, Centanni is a respected American reporter, abducted in a part of the world known for jihadist activity, and his life may very well be in danger. But unlike those two earlier cases, which inspired headlines and in-depth features for as long as they were in captivity, the Centanni story is almost nowhere. The release of Carroll's account of her ordeal, and the attendant TV interview, have gotten much more play this week than the fresh story about Centanni, who is a well-known, visible reporter.
The New York Times and Washington Post did brief features, but none are prominently featured on their websites. The story is near the bottom of both Drudge and Romenesko. And not even Centanni's own network is on the case- I watched FNC for about two hours tonight and didn't hear his name.
Does anyone have any sort of explanation for this? Yes, I know there's a lot going on these days, and I know there's been little news since Centanni and Wiig were snatched. But anyone has any idea why the press, and even the blogosphere, have practically ignored what should be a major story, I would love to hear it.
Posted by Stephen Silver at August 16, 2006 03:05 AMI've been wondering the same thing for the last couple of days...that's why I searched out your site. I also wonder why the Left Blogosphere hasn't made more of this-perhaps they think "good riddance?"
Have you learned anything more?
this "blackout" IS odd. the silence about Centanni's abduction is deafening. and FNC has to be getting a deluge of questions, calls, e-mails, etc. it looks as if they don't care. to carry on as usual is callous.
the Left blogsphere is behaving like the Right blogsphere--scratching their heads at what little info is being released. no terrorist (or otherwise) group has taken credit for the kidnapping. this does not bode well for Centanni nor his camerman companion.
2 rather bizarre schools of thought: first, some shady deal with Murdoch and Islamic fundamentalists to sacrifice one of his own for...who knows what? second, the less said about this, the less "hot" Centanni becomes. meaning if there's no outcry, then there's no value in the victim. so the hope is that s/he's released.
Posted by: bern at August 23, 2006 07:38 AM