…today that Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig were released by their captors in Gaza City. Centanni writes an oped on the matter here…

Good morning Washington.

From here:

The BBC’s Gaza Correspondent, Alan Johnston, was abducted at gunpoint in Gaza City on March 12. Today a video message appeared on the internet, in which Alan says he is in good health and being treated well by his captors.

To mark the thirteenth week of his captivity, the BBC is organising an event at Washington DC’s National Press Club on Monday, June 4,
2.45pm-3.30pm. It will be broadcast live by satellite on BBC World with access available to all other networks. There will be a moment’s silence for Alan along with comments from four speakers:

The BBC’s Washington bureau chief, Andrew Steele, previously the BBC’s Middle East bureau chief, knows Alan very well and appointed him to the Gaza correspondent position.

Fox News correspondent Steve Centanni was held hostage in Gaza in
August 2006 and speaks from personal experience about what it’s like to be captured there.

Ziad Asali, the President of the American Task Force on Palestine,
explains the deep concern and outrage over the abduction expressed by
journalists within the Palestinian territories.

Frank Smyth, held captive in Abu Ghraib during the Saddam Hussein era, is now the Journalists Security Coordinator of the Committee to Protect Journalists. Not only can he give personal testimony, but he also understands the enormous challenges facing journalists throughout the world.

Read rest here.

See the Washington Post’s recent story here.

Swinging times were had at last night’s 63rd Annual Radio & Television Correspondents’ Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton. The 2,000+ audience dined on New Orleans Cajun Salad, Texas Rubbed Tenderloin of Beef and Mississippi Mud Pile, while washing it down with Stone Cellars Chardonnay and Stone Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon.

The evening’s entertainment is already taking the Internet by storm (and only Karl Rove could overshadow Brian Williams’ impressive sound effects). Ricky Skaggs cancelled at the last minute because he was sick.

NBC’s Lisa Myers took home the Joan Barone Award for her investigative work and Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig won the David Bloom Award (which was presented by last year’s winner, Bob Woodruff, and David Bloom’s three daughters).

See more here, here, here, here, here, here and here.

Lots of photos (mostly from FOX’s impressive pre-party) when you click below…

Read more

FishbowlDC has heard that Middle East correspondent Jennifer Griffin is moving to Washington permanently. She played a big role in the release of Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig.

And who, if anyone, will replace Kim Hume? Right now, Bruce Becker is in charge…will anyone else get it (did Brian Wilson want it?)

(Photo Credit)

(UPDATE: This item has been edited to update Griffin’s title)