June 30, 2008

Channel Four pays £150,000 ransom

Paying kidnappers is supposed to be a definite no for anyone or organisation to even consider as an option. For one reason there is the possibility that the hostage will not be released, or that the payment will just encourage them to do the same thing over again as it is a good money spinner.

Obviously from the hostage’s families, the point of view is totally different and in most cases they would pay anything to get their loved one home. In the case of documentary film maker, Sean Langan, he was trying to make contact with Al-Qaeda in Pakistan when he was taken hostage.

These are very individual situations where organisations such as TV Channels send their people out to these places and feel that it is their responsibility to get them back. But from a government point of view they would rather see no ransom paid as this money can then go on to fund terrorism etc.

Source [Times]