Following are excerpts from an Al-Jazeera TV news broadcast, showing footage of American journalist Jill Carroll, who is being held hostage in Iraq. The item was broadcast on January 18, 2006.

Anchor: The family of American journalist Jill Carroll, who was kidnapped in Iraq, has pleaded with her captors to have mercy and release her. Al-Jazeera TV has obtained a video recording of the journalist in captivity.

The kidnappers have given the American government 72 hours to release the female Iraqi prisoners. The American government has requested all those concerned to intervene to save the kidnapped journalist's life.

Al-Jazeera TV hereby reaffirms – out of its commitment to the Charter for the (Safety) of Journalists – its rejection and condemnation of any form of violence against journalists. It calls upon the kidnappers to release American journalist Jill Carroll.