2002 News: Statement Concerning Wall Street Journal Reporter Daniel Pearl

Contact: Bill Barnhart, president, Society of American Business Editors and Writers, Inc., 312-222-3599
Carolyn Guniss, executive director, Society of American Business Editors and Writers, Inc., 573-999-2939

COLUMBIA, Mo. (Feb. 5, 2002) -- The Society of American Business Editors and Writers Inc. calls on the captors of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl to release him immediately. As a professional journalist, Pearl is a noncombatant in any military, political or social conflict.

Holding Pearl or any other journalist hostage will advance no complaint by any organization or individual. On the contrary, Pearl's ability to freely to tell the stories he gathers is an overarching benefit to anyone who seeks to advance a cause.

Our members, officers and staff send our support and encouragement to Daniel Pearl's family and friends and his colleagues at The Wall Street Journal.

The Society of American Business Editors and Writers Inc. (http://www.sabew.org), based at the Missouri School of Journalism at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo., represents 3,200 business journalists. It is the Society's mission as an independent, not-for-profit organization to encourage comprehensive reporting of economic events without fear or favoritism and to upgrade skills and knowledge through continuous educational efforts.