A REPORTER who was captured by the Taliban has taken a job with controversial Arabic news channel al Jazeera.
Former Northern Echo journalist Yvonne Ridley has secured a two-year contract with the channel that was criticised for showing graphic images from the conflict in Iraq.
She will be based in Qatar and re-launch its website in English.
Ms Ridley is learning about the Muslim religion and is hoping to become fluent in Arabic.
She made headline news after she was held by the Taliban after going undercover in Afghanistan following the September 11 attacks on the US.
Despite her ordeal she returned to the country for a holiday with her ten-year-old daughter Daisy.
She hopes Daisy will be able to join her in the Middle East when she has finished primary school next year.
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