My point is that the journalist is not the story. The tragedy that is the Palestine/Israel conflict is the story. Do you understand now or am I mistaken and you are all personal friends and acquaintances of Alan Johnston?

Chris, Winchenstein, UK

You stand corrected, Chris of Winchenstein. I am not a journalist, nor do I associate with any in my work and social circles. However, I am concerned for the fate of Alan Johnston, who, as his family said, lived and worked among the people of Gaza for the last three years to bring their story to the outside world.

AJG, London, UK

To say that the story is of no insterest is appalling as is the view that he says very little in the video than he does in his reports.

At the end of the day you are talking about a man who has been kidnapped, taken away from his family and friends.

Its unsurprising there is so much trouble inthe world when people can be so apathetic.

Elizabeth, Manchester,

That's a really interesting point actually, Chris.

Michael Albert Brown, Cambridge, UK

The objectives of this Jaysh al Islam (Army of Islam) are clear. They put their symbol next to the video of Alan Johnston to get publicity for themselves. But what they really want is clearly seen in this symbol. Have a careful look at it: World, Book (well, we know what book it is), Sword (well, what else could be there?) and Flag on the sword. Reads like 'we are willing to conquer the world with the sword in the name of the book'. I do not think this is about liberation of Palestine only! Liberation of Palestine only an excuse for hatred and further actions.

Alex Spak, Aberystwyth, UK

This is, contrary to what the Times says, not a full transcript since there is a freudian slip in what Johnston says which has been removed from the transcript. What he says about the creation of Israel is
"From history, the British worked to bring about the state of Israel, which is the cause of all the SUFFERING OF THE ISRAE... err of the Palestinian people".
How revealing in so many aspects...

Francois Conil, Pau, France

How can Chris possibly say that? I am not a journalist but have followed this story since it broke months ago. It is tragic that a reporter has been taken hostage and his family have had no word until this video was released. I hope for everyone that he is safe and well.

Liz, Reading, UK

Dear Chris: I think 'the rest of us' are very interested that Alan Johnston should be released, aren't we?

Steve, Preston, UK

I find it interesting, as I'm sure a lot of other non-journalists do, I wish him a safe return home.

Also it is not written by a Journalist, but is a transcript of a video...........sigh.

Dan hutch, Sheffield, UK

How can you be so heartless?! Alan Johnson has been abducted in a dangerous area in the world and you are complaining that someone has taken the time to tell the British public news of his wellbeing. If the news wasn't written by a journalist who would write it?! To say that no body is not interested is complete nonsense, if no one was interested no body would have read the article, including yourself.

Louise, Edinburgh,

only yesterday the British Academia voted to boycot whom? The people who carried 9/11? the people who carried 7/7? The people murdering women and children aroung the world? The people who had even killed an english women working in Iraq and helping the people there for 30 years? The people calling for England destruction? No - they had voted to boycot the largest threat to world peace - Israel.... So this is how your palestinisn friends say thank you... My heart goes out to Alan and his family, but the british Academia is... well I rather not use the words that come to mind...

erez, Jeruslam,

I am interested. These things are important as a litmus on world relations, and I am very glad that his family knows that he is alive and well for now. I am sure his friends and family hold a vague interest, after all.
If you claim such indifference, why read the whole article and comment?

Rachel, Singapore,

To tell the truth, I saw very little difference in what he said on this video and what he said in one of his 'impartial' BBC reports.

John Tomlinson, B,

Chris - you're not interested in a story about some one being abducted and held captive? Would it be more interesting if he were a nurse or a soldier?

I don't understand why that fact that the poor fella's a journalist should work against him.

My thoughts are with him and his family. I hope for his swift and safe return.

Emma , Worthing, West Sussex

oh,british guys,just go on suppoting the muslims and believing islam will brigh peace to the UK.......

weng, han,

US and Britain are peace breaker.

Joryond, shenzhen, China

For the last 3-4 years i have read various news stories which claim to have 'videos' which had been posted on Islamic websites.

The problem is MSMedia never posts the original url link, to that so called 'Islamic site'. Does anybody know the reason for that?

Mohammed, London, UK

Didn't detect much coercion there.

ed lancey, london,

This is a good example of meta-news i.e. news about news. This story is written by a journalist, about a journalist... and for other journalists. The rest of us aren't interested.

Chris, Winchenstein, UK