The Newsroom

Hostage Crisis

(September 2004)

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BC
Blake Connolly Founding member
Understandably, after the grim events of the last couple of nights, the news channels have got prepared for the worst news coming in tonight, of course not expecting what has happened. ITV News has been using a special slug graphic and I wonder if the apperance of Ms. Burley on Sky tonight has anything to do with it.

What was interesting was the time when you could tell everyone was pondering whether or not airing the video would be the right thing to do. I'm not sure, but I think News 24 showed it first (without sound to begin with).

Obviously hoping that somehow this doesn't end the way it inevitably looks like it will.
FU
fusionlad Founding member
It's horrible. I've mostly watched Sky News, but from what I can see, all networks are handling the story with a lot of sensitivity, and a lot of presenters and reporters look pretty somber and perhaps moved.
BR
Brekkie
A question I'll ask, but can't really answer myself:

Is it appropriate for TV stations to show videos of hostage takers making demands?

(By this I mean their first showing, not the BBC reporting Al Jazerra have shown the video).

By doing this are they providing an essential communication link between hostage taker and the authorities, or if hostage takers knew their demands wouldn't be heard on TV, would they actually take the hostage?
RT
rts Founding member
This really is a horrible thing. Being away from home I am not completely up to date, but using the library yesterday I was seriously shocked to hear the first American hostage had been killed, and furthermore this afternoon when I heard a second had been murdered last night.

Although if you were to set this as a scenario, and I would have to answer on it, I would say never negotiate with terrorists. But now, the thought of the British hostage facing one of the worst ends imaginable, my opinion is rocky.

I really do fear that tonight is going to rather grim.
BB
BBC TV Centre
Also, where do they get such videos from? Confused
:-(
A former member
I do not believe the videos should be broadcast as it gives the terrorists a soapbox on which to stand. It benefits no-one but the terrorists and it must encourage others when they see the reactions they get. I do have every sympathy for the families of these men, I cannot even imagine what they are going through right now. One thing remains a constant though as always, life is never fair and seldom pretty.
NI
nidave
To answer a point - Never negoiate with terroists - they will alwyas then use the same taticts to get more femands, and it will also open the floodgates for other groups to do the same.
MO
Moz
There was a repeat of that awful Angus Deayton vehicle on itv2 last night as I was flicking through and some comedian had a sign on him which said "Help I've been Kidnapped".

Hardly appropriate under the circumstances. Rolling Eyes
RT
rts Founding member
BBC One did not broadcast Final Destination "in light of current news events".

A very appropriate move in my opinion.
BR
Brekkie
There is an interesting interview with Alex Thompson on Teletext on 4 at the moment, where he says the word "Terrorist" should be banned as it's used for everything, regardless of the situation.
:-(
A former member
What does everyone think about all the appeals made by the
family/friends of Mr. Bigely (sp?) this week? Will it really help or is
it just giving the terrorists what they want in the way of publicity and
will encourage them to continue?
LO
Londoner
Nick Robinson writes a bit about ITV's decisions re. coverage of this story in his Times column today.

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