News of the kidnapping of freelance reporter Amanda Lindhout in Somalia Saturday has shocked Central Albertans and other Canadians.

As of this morning, there has no been further word of her status; however, relatives, friends and countless people who have never met her continue to hope for the best.

People in Sylvan Lake and Red Deer are especially likely to be concerned as it seems Lindhout grew up in Red Deer and still has relatives in Sylvan Lake and Red Deer.

Ironically, here at the Red Deer Advocate, Lindhout is known to staffers mainly through her e-mailed stories, published in the newspaper. Based in Baghdad, it’s not like she would stop in at the newsroom for coffee.

Still, anyone who has ever read any of her well-written and captivating accounts of life overseas, or seen her wonderful photographs, must feel a bit of a bond with her. We can all only hope she is released unharmed by her captors. Surely such a talented and courageous person deserves that.

As many people have noted on various news websites, Lindhout was simply doing her job when she was seized.

In addition to writing for the Advocate, she was reportedly doing some work for French television interests and Canada’s Global National News.

Why she was kidnapped at gunpoint remains a mystery, though experts on Somalia say such crimes are generally motivated by either politics or money.

Unfortunately, there appears to be some groups in Somalia with a special hate on for the media. Apparently, they don’t want the outside world to know how grim things have gotten in their country, which has been at war since 1991.

According to The Associated Press, abductions are common in Somalia and nine local journalists have been killed this year.

Kidnapped along with Lindhout, 26, were Australian freelance photojournalist Nigel Brennan, 27, and a Somalian translator and driver.

The National Union of Somali Journalists has expressed regret about the kidnapping.

So too have visitors to the Advocate’s website (www.reddeeradvocate.com).

“If not for those brave enough to report back to us from the front lines of humanity in crisis, we would be unaware of what is happening in our world,” wrote reader Patricia Petersen. “Amanda is a hero in my eyes, and I will keep her in my prayers.”

“It’s sure risky over there,” added someone who identified herself only as Susan. “I wish the worn-torn country would realize the reporters are simply doing ‘news’ and they’re not causing any trouble. (The kidnapping) doesn’t make sense.”

Jesse Johnston, a reporter with Calgary’s CHQR Radio, who interviewed Lindhout recently about her work, was impressed with her courage and insistence on finding out the truth.

“She took her work really seriously,” he noted.

Of course, at this point, it’s not appropriate to speculate on Lindhout’s chances of being released to safety.

But if she is released, she certainly will have a story to tell.

It might not be too much of a stretch to suggest her abduction might make for an interesting book, maybe even a made-for-television movie.

And who better to tell the story than Lindhout, a gifted writer?

There aren’t many journalists with the courage to venture into such dangerous countries as Iraq or Somalia without the support of a big news organization like CNN.

Canadian television journalist Arthur Kent, nicknamed “The Scud Stud” during the 1991 Persian Gulf War, certainly became famous by reporting on many of the world’s hot spots, but he did so mainly as a foreign correspondent with NBC, not as a freelancer.

That’s not to minimize his accomplishments.

To his credit, Kent has produced many fine documentaries and even provided money to restore a historic house in Lacombe lived in by his ancestors.

In any case, we can only assume Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs is doing what it can to help Lindhout.

She has done much for people in troubled parts of the world by telling their story.

Many Advocate readers have been astonished by her bravery and especially surprised that a woman dares to take such risks.

Let’s hope she has not taken one risk too many.

There are not many journalists like her.

Lee Giles is an Advocate editor.