***Update: Statement from FNC***

“We trust that the abductors understand they are responsible for Steve and Olaf’s welfare and safe return,” John Moody, a senior vice president at Fox, wrote in an email sent to Reuters.

***

The kidnappers of Steve Centanni and Olag Wiig have stepped forward and demanded the release of “Muslim prisoners.” The thugs call themselves the “Holy Jihad Brigades.” Breitbart.com has more on the jihadis’ video release via AP:

In the video, Steve Centanni, 60, of the San Francisco area, and cameraman Olaf Wiig, 36, of New Zealand, appeared to be in good health, seated on the floor in sweat suits against a black background. No armed men were shown.

“Our captors are treating us well,” Centanni said, adding that they had access to clean water, showers, bathrooms, food and clothing.

“So, just want to let you know I am here and alive and give my love to my family and friends and ask to do anything you can to try to help us get out of here,” he added.

Wiig called for help to get them freed.

“If you could apply any pressure on the local government here in Gaza and the West Bank, that would be much appreciated by Steve and myself,” Wiig said.

Allah has the audio-enhanced video. Mary Katharine has a big round-up of developments.

Rusty Shackleford: “It is exactly as I feared. The Palestinian terror group that has taken Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig belongs to the cult of Abu Musab al Zarqawi. They have given the 72 hours notice. If their demands are not met, they will be murdered.”

Jules Crittenden responds to the anti-Fox “asking for it” attitude.

Reuters, yes Reuters, covers the muted coverage and quotes an editor who rejects the “asking for it” attitude:

“I certainly resent any suggestion that reporters here would turn their backs on a colleague in trouble just because they work for a particular media outlet,” wrote Dion Nissenbaum, Jerusalem bureau chief of McClatchy Newspapers, on the Poynter site.

Good. Tell it to Bob Laurence.