This is an on-the-media podcast extra. I'm Bob Garfield. This week's show, which we called Kidnapped,

featured an interview with Deborah and Mark Tice, the parents of Austin Tice, the freelance American

journalist who disappeared in Syria nearly four years ago. We received many comments from people

who were deeply moved by that conversation,

so we thought we'd offer you a longer version.

At age 30, Austin Tice went to Syria with pure intentions to report firsthand what befell the people

there. He had little experience, but a lot of verve and a lot

of nerve, venturing deeper into the country than nearly any other Western journalist. Within a month,

he was filing stories from McClatchy and the Washington Post, appearing on CBS and giving

interviews to public radio.

From what I've seen, when the rebels fight, the civilians come out in the streets and leave

them, you know, platters of food and pictures of water to support them when they're fighting.

Then in August 2012, he vanished.

Six nightmarish weeks later, his family saw evidence of life, a video showing him

being led blindfolded up a hillside by armed masked men.

Al-Bah!

Yes, my Godhman al-hrahmine.

Oh, Jesus. Oh, Jesus.

Oh, Jesus.

Since that video, the Tysis have had no communications with Austin or his captors,

but they have had what they call credible recent reports that Austin is still alive,

and further that he isn't held either by ISIS or Syrian rebel troops.

...