Kidnapped FOX Journalists Released: Was Palestinian Government Involved With Plot?

RFFM.org ^ | 08.27.06 | Daniel T. Zanoza

[Daniel T. Zanoza]

FOX News journalists Steve Centanni and veteran cameraman Olaf Wiig were released by a Palestinian terrorist group early Sunday morning. Centanni, 60, and Wiig, 36, were abducted on August 14th and held captive for 14 days somewhere in Gaza, south of Israel. In an interview with FOX, Centanni said himself, Wiig and a so-called security man were ambushed by a group which consisted of four hooded gunmen.

For the first week of Centanni's and Wiig's captivity, there was a virtual news blackout regarding this case with little or no reports on the subject coming from FOX News or any other major news outlet. (See: Silence Surrounding Kidnapping of Fox Journalists Puzzling, 08.19.06 http://www.rffm.org/default.htm)

There is speculation FOX News may have been negotiating with the Palestinian government regarding the release of its journalists or FOX News management may have been attempting to negotiate with the terrorists themselves. Suddenly, on August 21st, the dam seemed to break regarding the news blackout surrounding Centanni and Wiig as FOX News issued a public statement. During the week, the veil of secrecy regarding the kidnapping gradually fell as more and more stories appeared on FOX and other networks concerning the incident.

Roger Ailes, Chairman & CEO of FOX News, apparently confirmed the coverage of the missing journalists was, in a way, orchestrated when he said he had contacted the other major news networks shortly after the kidnapping. Ailes said these words in an interview with members of "FOX and Friends" on Sunday morning, mere hours after Centanni's and Wiig's release.

Some believe the Palestinian government itself may have played a role in the abduction to set up a scenario where the Palestinian government looked as if it were coming to the rescue of the two men. During the last week, Palestinian leaders said Centanni and Wiig would find their freedom in a few days. Then, on Saturday, Palestinian officials said the FOX journalists would be released in a matter of hours. How was the government in Palestine able to give a virtual time table for the return of the kidnapped reporters?

Could Palestinian authorities have rescued Centanni and Wiig far earlier? The bottom line is Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig may have been used as political pawns in a game of Middle Eastern intrigue. The truth may never be known, but at least the two men are free.

[Dallas59]

Wonder when cBSNBCABCCNNBBCPBS will get thier turn?

[MinuteGal]

Not much of a case made here.....at least for me.

Leni

[txroadkill]

I'm with you. For a good insight on how these Koranimals think, read the Jill Caroll account at The Monitor. It's 10 parts, but well worth the read.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0814/p01s01-woiq.html

[Daniel T. Zanoza]

Let's see...not much evidence here for "MinuteGal"?

* Roger Ailes makes phone calls to all the major news network divisions directly after the abductions.
* For the first week there was virtually no news coverage of the kidnappings.
* People are starting to ask questions why there aren't stories.
* We find out the Palestinians are predicting when Centanni and Wiig are going to be released by the kidnappers.
* The FOX reporters are released to the hour, as predicted by the Palestinian government.

And MinuteGal says there's not enough evidence to convince him or her? Was MinuteGal also on the OJ jury?

Daniel T. Zanoza

[roses of sharon]

Of course they were, and anyone who thinks that life is a CSI TV show, have obviously been raised on Oprah and NY media.

There will be no need for "evidence" since the captured journalists have already gushed in a news conference over the Pals, their gov and Hamas.

We would not want to offend the headchoppers now would we?

Let's just stick to calling our military men murderers who commit atrocities, and our President a dangerous and stupid man, no grief from anyone will come from that kind of "reporting".

[MinuteGal]

Well, Mr. D. T. Newbie Zanoza, let's take a closer look at some of the phrases in your fact-laden (heheh) blog:

(See the above post for context)

"There is SPECULATION Fox News MAY HAVE BEEN USED....."

".....Ailes, APPARENTLY confirmed.......

".....Ailes....was IN A WAY ORCHESTRATED......"

"SOME BELIEVE the Palestinian government......."

"......where the Palestinian government LOOKED AS IF IT WERE......."

"Centanni and Wiig MAY HAVE BEEN USED......."

"The truth MAY NEVER BE KNOWN, BUT......"

What the devil is it that you're trying to make a case for?

When I can fully understand what conspiracy you're presenting and what the cold FACTS are to back it up, then you can talk snarky to your seniors.

Leni

[Daniel T. Zanoza]

You're joking, right? I'm 130 years old, I'm senile and I get all my information from legendary intellectuals like yourself. So, I must be wrong. Please forgive me, monsignor. Sorry if I hurt your feelings, but as a senior FReeper, I'm sure you have the deep quality of character and understanding it takes to bring along such a novice like myself. It's easy to be anonymous, isn't it? Because you don't have to demonstrate you know anything. You can just nit-pick the work of others who are trying to make a difference in this world and sit back on your lofty throne of FReeperdom. You certainly put me in my place.

Truly, may God bless you and keep you well. And there is no sarcasm in this prayer.

[MinuteGal]

Sorry, you put yourself on the target range.....first by starting it all with your own goofy post full of unsourced speculation which will disappear from this forum, unheralded and unnoted......and second with your snotty comment tying me to the OJ Simpson jury in answer to my brief innocuous comment.

Get back to me when you can take what you jumped to dish out in a typical newbie fit of pique.

Leni

[Daniel T. Zanoza]

You noted it. You should get back to textbooks.