CBC news reporter released from captivity in Afghanistan

CBC news reporter released from captivity in Afghanistan

TORONTO, Nov. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- CBC/Radio-Canada confirmed today that a CBC News reporter, Mellissa Fung, abducted October 12 in Kabul has been freed from captivity.

Ms.Fung, a CBC News correspondent on assignment in Kabul was released around noon Toronto time and is now safe within the Canadian Embassy in Kabul. Mellissa will undergo a full medical evaluation but early indications are that she is well. When she is ready, Ms. Fung will be re-united with her family for which arrangements are underway. Her family has been informed daily of the development since her abduction and have been participants in this process from day one.

Hubert T. Lacroix, President and Chief Executive Officer, CBC/Radio-Canada, thanked all those who had contributed to the success of the project to win Ms. Fung's release. Among those he cited were Canadian and Afghan government officials as well as dozens of media organizations in Canada and around the world who provided their support and discretion over the past 28 days.

"In the interest of Mellissa's safety and that of other working journalists in the region, on the advice of security experts, we made the decision to ask media colleagues not to publish news of her abduction," added CBC News Publisher John Cruickshank. "All of the efforts made by the security experts were focused on Mellissa's safe and timely release. For this reason, we can only share general information about the events of the last three weeks.

John Cruickshank will be available to speak with media at:
- 3:30 p.m.
- November 8
- lobby, Glenn Gould Studio, CBC Toronto Broadcast Centre

Source: CBC Communications

CONTACT: Jeff Keay, (416) 205-3987, jeff.keay@cbc.ca

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