What's the value in protecting one's identity if colleagues are going to release it to the (possibly corrupt) government and media? If he does return, there's no way he can continue with the pseudonym, and in the (unlikely?) event of a safe return, it sounds as if he'd now be in jeopardy for past reporting.
It seems there's no positive end game, even if he is found safely.
It seems there's no positive end game, even if he is found safely.