Letter: A right to tell the hostages' story
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: The screening of Hostages this Wednesday by ITV, without the support of John McCarthy, Terry Waite, Brian Keenan and Terry Anderson fills me with sadness at the lack of respect for these men who have already been subjected to years of suffering which many of us cannot begin to appreciate. I for one will not be watching.
This 'drama documentary' promises to feed on the traumatic experience of the former hostages, their relatives and friends. To make it into a programme for public consumption without their approval is distasteful. John McCarthy, Terry Waite, Brian Keenan and Terry Anderson suffered one of the worst crimes against humanity - incarceration. We should not subject them to another - invasion of privacy, misrepresentation, and so on.
When, and if, they choose to tell their stories I will be the first to listen to their words, or to those of people chosen by them. This I will do with compassion and respect. In the meantime, I am prepared to wait. I urge others to do the same.
Yours sincerely,
JOAN RANSLEY
Ilkley, West Yorkshire
20 September
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments