The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Controversial TV show goes ahead despite plea
Daughter of victim urged Channel 4 to delay showing drama about Islamic State
A controversial and hard-hitting drama about Islamic State (IS) was broadcast last night despite a plea from the daughter of slain Perth man David Haines.
Mr Haines was murdered in 2014 by the man known as Jihadi John after he had been captured while helping victims of the war in Syria.
Ahead of last night’s showing of the first part of Channel 4’s drama The State, Mr Haines’ daughter Bethany called for it to be postponed.
The 20-year-old said: “I believe Channel 4 should postpone its screening for at least a couple of weeks.
“They should do so out of respect and humanity for the families suffering in the wake of the Barcelona atrocity.
“To be honest, the violence in the drama would be upsetting to anyone but I think it would be particularly horrifying for those affected by the events of the last few days.”
Bethany said it would not be helpful for those whose loved ones had been killed or injured in the attacks to see the drama and knows better than most the impact such tragedies can have on families.
“Broadcasting a drama like this – no matter how well-made and intentioned it is – so soon after an attack like Barcelona, is going to cause upset.
“I was 16 when my father, David Haines, was kidnapped by Islamic State.
“Now I’m 20, but whenever there is a fresh attack it brings back the horrors.”
The State, by Peter Kosminsky, tells the story of four Britons who travel to Syria to join IS.
It is said to be brutal and unrelenting in depicting the realities of what such people will find within the caliphate and shows how they become disillusioned with the terror group.
Kosminsky said he hopes it will be a “cautionary tale” and stressed it does not glamorise the terrorist group.
He said: “As far as I know there has been no other depiction of what happens to young British Muslims when they arrive in Islamic State.
“That is something worth depicting.”