James Foley (journalist)

James Wright Foley (October 18, 1973 – c. August 2014) was an American photojournalist and video journalist. He worked as a freelance journalist covering conflicts in the Middle East, including the wars in Iraq, Libya, and Syria.

Foley was abducted in northwestern Syria on November 22, 2012. In August 2014, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) released a video showing his beheading. His murder was widely condemned internationally and brought increased attention to the threat posed by ISIS.

Foley's death highlighted the dangers faced by journalists reporting from conflict zones and spurred debates about the ethics of paying ransoms for hostages. His work focused on documenting the human cost of war and giving a voice to those affected by the conflicts he covered. Following his death, his family established the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation, which advocates for the freedom of journalists worldwide and promotes the safety of independent conflict journalists.