Close Topic Options

No Paid Interviews

BRITAIN BANS SOLDIERS GIVING PAID INTERVIEWS, DOESN'T AFFECT 15 SAILORS

The British government has banned all military service members from talking to the media in return for payment, even though a day earlier it allowed 15 sailors to sell their stories about their recent ordeal in Iran.
Ref. www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2007/04/09/turney-iran.html

Interviews Paid No

I would think that anything that fit the realm of military hostile conditions should not be made public at all unless it is part of a formal inquiry since the typical soldier is not necessarily trained in public relations or diplomacy.

No Paid Interviews History & Civil Business Politics

Crying Over Spilled Milk

Defence Secretary Des Browne says in hindsight he could have stopped the Iran captives selling their stories.
Ref. BBC

Interviews Paid No

I think that the British Government should have made their decision and stuck to it, instead of having made one statement, then doing a complete u-turn the day after.
The consequence of their indecisiveness has meant that 2 of the British sailors had already sold their story but the rest couldn't when the Government changed their minds.
Personally, I think that this has put some of the Sailors at a disadvantage as they all went through the same experience and traumas, and I'm sure that this has left a bad feeling between the Sailors.
I personally don't have a problem with them selling their story, I think that they suffered a terrible ordeal, and at least if they get some compensation in form of payment, then all the better for them. (In my humble opinion)

Interviews Paid No

I think it may be a little therapeutic for the soldiers to talk about their experience. Although realistically, this wouldn't cure their trauma but it may remove a weight off their shoulders. Not to mention, learning more about their experiences may prove to be beneficial to those contemplating in joining the army.

Edited: Geenie on 19th Apr, 2007 - 3:09pm

No Paid Interviews

I don't think it's right at all for these military members to sell their stories. I think it sensationalizes the very real threats that they all faced during their ordeal, rather than solemnizes it. This wasn't some TV movie, they truly feared for their lives, and rightly so.

What struck me was that each one of these sailors was under 25 years old - many are just 19, and they are so young! Maybe they just don't have the maturity to realize that they shouldn't make a spectacle out of this experience.