Free Current's Euna Lee and Laura Ling via Facebook

denise — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:11:24 -0500

Current TV journalists, Euna Lee and Laura Ling were sentenced to 12 years of hard labor after being charged with crossing North Korea’s border illegally. The question people are wondering is what Current TV is doing to help free their reporters?

Finding an answer is not easy. Current TV is not willing to talk about this case. In a recent phone convesation with Current TV's press contact, I was quickly (and repeatedly) informed,“No comment on anything related to North Korea.”

Even though Current TV is not talking, people are making their voices heard on Twitter and Facebook. People have created a group on Facebook called “North Korea: Free Euna Lee and Laura Ling!” with links to a petition and blog site titled “Liberate Laura & Euna Now”. Interested citizens can also follow @liberatelaura on Twitter.

“Amber Jackson
Unbelievable, I have already contacted my congressman and Senator!! I hope that others will follow suit!! This is an outrage!!! My thoughts and prayers go out to them and their families! “

“John Yoon
Pissed off? Do something...
Contact your congress man/woman....
Contact your senator.... "

“Greogory R. Schiller
Its part of the political game"

“@bizweek:
By holding Ling-Lee, NK might believe it can force U.S. to think twice before putting them back on terrorism sponsors list.”

Social media site followers are not the only ones who are speaking out. Star Jones, attorney and former host of The View, wrote a letter to President Obama asking him to consider diplomatic “back-channels” as a way to free them.

“I believe that now is the time for diplomacy to step in. Because of the oppressive regime, I know that the United States has no formal diplomatic relationship with North Korea...so the utilization of diplomatic "back channels" may be the only way to make headway in bringing these journalists home to their families.”

Even though the details about their crossing are unclear, their sentence is still unfair. Not even illegal immigrants who cross the border to the United States are punished that harshly. They would just be sent back to their country. How do you feel about North Korea's actions?

Youth Radio - Topic: Journalist

Free Current's Euna Lee and Laura Ling via Facebook