View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. News
June 30, 2011

French journalists released by Taliban

By Myriam Dijck

Two French television journalists have returned home after being kidnapped by the Taliban and held hostage for 547 days.

Cameraman Stephane Taponier and reporter Herve Ghesquiere of state channel France 3 were welcomed by their family and colleagues when they arrived at a military airport near Paris.

Both men were said to be in good health.

At a press conference at the airport, Taponier said the insurgents had treated them humanely but that living conditions in the Afghan mountains were “very, very difficult”.

‘We were never mistreated, beaten or tied down,’Ghesquiere said.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

The Taliban reportedly accused the two men of spying. According to Sky News, French foreign minister Alain Juppe has denied paying a ransom and said Afghan minister Hamid Karzai helped secure their release.

Both men insisted they would continue their careers. ‘This is the job I like to do, and I still like it,’said Ghesquiere.

Afghan insurgents held the pair hostage from 30 December 2009 alongside their interpreter, who has also been released.

It was the longest time a French journalist has been held captive since the 1980s.

Topics in this article : , ,

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network