The United States is offering a reward of US$1 million (S$1.3 million) for information about Austin Tice, an American journalist missing in Syria since 2012.
The FBI announced the reward this week, without any explanation on the timing. “The timing of this reward is unrelated to any specific event,” an FBI spokeswoman said.
Tice, 36, is believed to the only American journalist currently held in Syria, one of the most dangerous countries for the news media in recent years.
Freelance journalist
A freelance journalist working for McClatchy News, The Washington Post, CBS, AFP and other news organizations, Tice was abducted in August 2012 near Damascus.
Tice’s family has launched several appeals for information about his whereabouts, saying they believe he is still alive.
In 2016, a #FreeAustinTice banner was attached to the facade of the Newseum, a museum focused on news media and located on the street linking the US Capitol and the White House. The banner is still there.
An FBI statement on its website said it would offer the reward “for information leading directly to the safe location, recovery, and return” of Tice.
The agency created an email address [email protected] and said anyone with information could also use the website tips.fbi.gov or contact any US consulate.
Reporters Without Borders, a media rights group which has worked with Tice’s family, welcomed the US move.
Also Read
-
El Salvador police say newspaper journalist found slain
Police in El Salvador say unidentified assailants kidnapped and then killed journalist Karla Lisseth Turcios, who worked for the newspaper La Prensa ... Print -
Myanmar court refuses to drop case against Reuters journalists
A judge on Wednesday rejected a request for dismissal of a case against two Reuters reporters jailed in Myanmar after being accused of possessing ... Print -
Palestinian journalist killed after being shot by Israeli forces
A Palestinian journalist shot by Israeli forces during clashes along the Gaza border has died, the health ministry in the strip said Saturday. Yasser ... Middle East -
Myanmar judge to rule next week on dropping Reuters journalists’ case
A Myanmar judge said Wednesday he would decide next week on whether to throw out a case against two Reuters journalists who were arrested while ... Print -
Vatican rebukes journalist who quoted Pope as denying existence of hell
The Vatican on Thursday rebuked a well-known Italian journalist who quoted Pope Francis as saying hell does not exist. The Vatican issued a statement ... World News
