CAJ welcomes abducted journalists' release in Somalia

TORONTO , Nov. 25 /CNW/ - The Canadian Association of Journalists is celebrating news today that reporter Amanda Lindhout has been freed by her kidnappers in Somalia . Lindhout, a native of Sylvan Lake, Alberta, was kidnapped at gunpoint near Mogadishu along with Australian photojournalist Nigel Brennan on Aug. 23, 2008 . Brennan has also been freed.

"We are overjoyed that Amanda and Nigel have been released and will soon be with their families," said CAJ President Mary Agnes Welch . "We thank all of those journalists and members of the public who have supported the campaign to secure their freedom."

The Canadian Association of Journalists has worked diligently to put the issue on authorities' agendas. CAJ President Mary Agnes Welch last wrote to Prime Minister Stephen Harper on the one-year anniversary of the journalists' abduction, urging him to bring the full weight of his office to bear on efforts to secure Amanda Lindhout's release.

The Canadian Association of Journalists is Canada's largest professional organization for journalists from all media, with about 1,200 members across the country. The CAJ's primary roles are to provide high-quality professional development for its members and public-interest advocacy.

For further information: Mary Agnes Welch, CAJ president, [phone]; En français: Robert Frank, directeur, [phone]; John Dickins, CAJ executive director, [phone]