The Reporter's Account: 4 Days With the Taliban

Debranya Brower
9-11-09
4:45 p.m.

In this article a reporter from the New York Times tells his story of the events that occured when he and a fellow colleague were kidnapped by members of the Taliban. The two reporters were conducting interviews with members of the community while always trying to be aware of their surroundings. They spoke with many people that were afraid of the Taliban and what they were capable of. As they continued to cover the different areas they ended up in an area where the Taliban was and were expected to return. As they stayed in the area crowds gathered in to tell their side. Time passed on and the reporters and their driver became aprehensive about the area that they were in. With a little warning from someone in the crowd, everyone dispersed to the news that the taliban were coming. Unfortunately the reporter and his colleague were unable to get away and were kidnapped by the dangerous members of the Taliban. Although they didn't treat them as badly as they normally treat their victims, the two reporters were very afraid and very grateful to have lived to tell of this misfortune.
This is very scary to see that someone can simply be doing their job and instantly be taken. It shows that we have to always be aware of our surroundings especially in foreign areas. This group have unfortuantely taken over and it shows from when the people wanted to deperately tell of how they were being affected by the Taliban. This group seems to take over whatever area they may be in and everyone is so afraid to try and stop them. I find this very interesting because it makes me think of the gangs that we have here in America but we could consider the Taliban as probably being ten times worst than them. Its a situation that if it is not handled they will continue to ruin Pakistan. I commend the two reporters on their struggle to stay alive and their quick thinking. I know that this is an event that they will never forget.

http://atwar.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/09/the-reporters-account-4-days-with-the-taliban/?scp=2&sq=reporter&st=cse