Breaking the news of British hostage release in Iraq

Reuters clients were well-served by the Baghdad bureau, which delivered swift news of the release of British hostage Peter Moore, beating the Foreign Office in London, which had hoped to make the announcement. Baghdad has been covering the British hostage saga since 2007 and so was well placed when the major break came. When rumours emerged on Dec. 30 that a release might occur imminently, the bureau used its strong contacts to confirm the release, beating all competitors, including Dow Jones by 3-1/2 minutes. Reuters was credited across the British media for breaking the news. Reuters followed up with strong coverage of the recriminations in the UK over deaths of other hostages and the risks that Moore’s release highlights for the reconciliation process in Iraq.