WASHINGTON – The James W. Foley Legacy Foundation celebrates the release of journalist Shelly Kittleson that was secured by the Trump administration. Shelly, a seasoned reporter with extensive experience covering the Middle East, was kidnapped last week in Iraq by Kata’ib Hezbollah, an Iraqi Shiʿa Islamist militia and known proxy of the Iranian regime. Within hours, her abduction became widely known – thanks in part to the strong journalist safety practices she had put in place prior to reporting in the region.
When a U.S. national is taken hostage, the captor alone bears full responsibility for the crime. The Foley Foundation stands firmly with a free and independent press and underscores the essential role journalists play in informing the world, often at great personal risk. In keeping with our mission, the Foley Foundation promotes journalist safety education, risk awareness, and preparation as critical tools for reporters working in dangerous environments – including knowing the terrain one is entering.
Foley Foundation President and Founder Diane Foley said, “Shelly, like James Foley, is a courageous freelance conflict reporter whose commitment to truth is inspiring. We applaud the American media and the U.S. hostage enterprise for helping secure her freedom.”
“We recognize the extraordinary risks brave journalists take to share stories from around the world,” said Tom Durkin, Director of Safety Education at the Foley Foundation. “We are deeply grateful and relieved that Shelly has been released and is now returning home.”
The Foley Foundation was honored to work alongside partners advocating for Shelly’s release, including Shelly’s lead advocate, Alex Plitsas, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and Reporters Without Borders. We also applaud the outstanding work of the hostage enterprise – the government personnel whose coordinated efforts resulted in Shelly’s freedom. The Foley Foundation further extends our gratitude to Senator Tammy Baldwin and her staff for their swift response to the kidnapping of a Wisconsin native, and their support of Shelly’s family, friends, and colleagues.
ABOUT THE JAMES W. FOLEY LEGACY FOUNDATION
Conflict journalist James W. Foley was taken hostage by ISIS terrorists in 2012 while covering the Syrian civil war. His captors tortured and ultimately brutally murdered him in 2014. The Foundation was established less than three weeks after his death. Inspired by the moral courage of James Foley, the Foundation advocates for American hostages and wrongful detainees held abroad and promotes journalist safety.
For more information or to learn how you can make an impact, please visit jamesfoleyfoundation.org or contact us here. Charitable donations to support the Foundation’s work may be made here.
