Iraqi Troops Free CBS Journalist Richard Butler

By John Eggerton
( Broadcasting & Cable )
published

CBS journalist Richard Butler was freed by Iraqi troops in a raid on a house in Basra.

Butler, who was working for CBS as a cameraman, was taken Feb. 10.

"We are incredibly grateful that our colleague, Richard Butler, has been released and is safe,” CBS said in a statement. “He was taken Feb. 10 in Basra while on assignment for CBS News. He is apparently in good condition."

CNN showed video of a buoyant Butler hugging Iraqi officials and saying that they had stormed the house, overcome his guards and freed him.

John Eggerton
John Eggerton

Contributing editor John Eggerton has been an editor and/or writer on media regulation, legislation and policy for over four decades, including covering the FCC, FTC, Congress, the major media trade associations, and the federal courts. In addition to Multichannel News and Broadcasting + Cable, his work has appeared in Radio World, TV Technology, TV Fax, This Week in Consumer Electronics, Variety and the Encyclopedia Britannica.