Transcripts of emergency telephone calls made from the World Trade Center on September 11 have been published by New York's Port Authority. The decision to release the transcripts has been met with mixed reactions from relatives of victims who died when the building was destroyed in the terrorist attacks.
Monica Gabrielle, whose husband, Richard, was killed in the attack said "Hopefully, there's a whole host of information there that can contribute some information as to what went wrong, what could be done better, what went right."
But Leila Negron, who lost her husband, Peter, said, "For me and my children, it's like being slapped in the face with it happening again."
Do you agree with the ruling to publish the transcripts? Send us your views.
The following comments reflect the balance of views we have received:
This debate is now closed. Read your comments below.
Your reaction:
I cannot see any reason to publish these other than to satisfy the ghoulish requirements of some sections of society. There has been so much heartache and so many people's memories have been scarred permanently over 9/11 that this seems an entirely tasteless and unnecessary exercise.
Richard White, London, UK
I just read some of the messages arguing that we should look for clues as to why the attacks happened. This argument misses two very important points. The intelligence services have had years to go over the transcripts, any clues will have already been gathered. Second, and most important, the reason why this happened is because the airline industry view security measures as a cost and NOT an investment. I should know, I worked in the industry and my warnings of severe security failings were constantly ignored. I left once those warnings were then swept under the carpet on September 12th! Please, let these people keep their last messages personal and away from purely voyeuristic eyes.
Darren Smithson, UK
If by doing this we can help to understand how better to stop this ever happening again, possibly. But, if the victims families are not perfectly happy with this, then definitely not. It can be horrendous for their families to see their last words in the newspaper, if they were not asked consent this action is despicable.
Rob Clohesy (16), UK
No. We have an obligation to honour the victims' memory, but not to exploit their final agonizing moments. These were final farewells between the victims and their loved ones, and they should remain private. If these transcripts offer any valuable insight into what went wrong in the response to the 911 calls for help, then let the appropriate committee review them. As for the general public, let them find their fill of drama in a Hollywood action movie. At the very least, let us keep our respect for the dead sacred.
David, Santa Fe, USA
What can be more harrowing than hearing your loved one die? One more horror to live in a person's mind for the rest of their lives. Enough lives were destroyed on 9/11, do not let us add to the misery of those left behind.
Anne Pengelly, England
 |  let the families mourn without stirring it all up for the sake of a sensationalist press  |
I am so angry. Is there nothing, nothing sacred anymore? I do NOT want to hear or read these cries for help. Let the dead rest in peace and let the families mourn without stirring it all up for the sake of a sensationalist press. Sometimes I really do not like the world we live in. The violence of terrorism is bad enough, but why has the press to dig deep into the wounds of the sufferers? Keeping the records for research into what could be done better is one thing, broadcasting and mass-distribute the last good-byes of dying people for the sake of money is another.
Conny, UK/Germany They should not be published, we have a responsibility to allow the people who died to keep their dignity. This would be a grim way for people to remember loved ones who lost their lives.
Doug, UK
Our culture is increasingly built on others misfortune on TV! Please, let's not do this. I found the images of the aircraft hitting the buildings disturbing enough! I don't wish to hear the terror of the victims also. It sickens me that someone has entertained the idea of publishing. Is that to gain ratings? How sick can one be?
Richard, England
They should have released them from the start. Now all they are doing is tearing it all up again. Heads should roll in the port authority for lack of foresight and keeping information from the public.
Paul Young, UK
These tapes are not important historical records. They are highly personal and private calls from desperate people to the emergency services. The public has no right to hear these confidential calls without the permission of those who made them. It is wrong to publish them.
Ian Marlow, UK
We know how the planes were hijacked and how the buildings collapsed. We know how the people died and we know about a few of the countless acts of personal heroism that took place. We do not need to hear their suffering to understand what went on and the idea that this information is in the public interest is absolutely incomprehensible.
Patric, UK
| It would open up too many wounds that have not properly healed yet |
No, they should not. I have re-lived the trauma every day since the attacks. I was talking to my NY office on the 92nd floor when the first plane hit. We thought a bomb had gone off within the building. I stayed on the conference phone whilst calls were made to work out what was going on, never knowing that all the people in the office were doomed. We ended the call to enable them to get out of the building; God knows that was bad enough; part of me is relieved I never knew they would never get out, as there was nothing I could do, I often wonder what I would have said. I would hate to read the transcript of the calls made to 911 from that office. It would open up too many wounds that have not properly healed yet. May the grace of god let them rest in peace.
Anon, UK No. There is absolutely no need for this information to be released. The Americans insult enough people with their policies regarding foreigners, but they're about to anger a good amount of people in their own country.
Paul Campbell, Britain
Is this any different to the endless television replays of the planes smashing into the towers or their later collapse? They are terrific images, certainly, and excellent for TV stations to mete out at will to boost viewing figures, but they show, time and time again, thousands of lives being extinguished in one horrifying moment of TV footage. If people are going to complain about the release of the transcripts, in the hope that some lessons may be learnt from them, surely these same people ought to object to these images being replayed again and again, which achieves nothing.
Cath, England
I have to agree with a minority here in that I feel the recordings, images, and all manner of horrific details should be made public. Sure it seems like taking away dignity of those victims and their families, but it also gives a real reminder of what can happen if you choose the wrong strategy to fight with, regardless of your beliefs. The world today spends so much time and effort editing out real-life from incidents to protect the innocent, rather than teach what can happen when we choose such terrorist acts. And yes, I say 'we'. No matter how much any of us wants to believe that the aggressors are non-human, the truth is they are just like you and I. Only their idea of death is glorified in what they see as a heroes sacrifice. Without such recordings, or images, or transcripts, all we have are hearsay, and Hollywood. Children and people around the world should be shown what the consequences of their actions are. These people who are in our memories should not die in vain.
Russ, UK
| That will simply renew all the hurt and grief |
No, the public doesn't need this information. It should be released by the authorities to the fire department, the police or those responsible for planning for emergencies where there is anything relevant, but there is no need for heartbreaking transcripts of victims pleading for help to be published. That will simply renew all the hurt and grief. The victims should be shown some respect, and allowed to rest in peace.
Kathy, UK This really must be a question for the individual families to decide. The authorities should have asked the families whether or not they wanted to know what was said and if they wanted it to be published, but as is with human nature we just can't let it rest. Can we?
K. Wikman, Sweden
I can't believe that they are thinking of publishing the material. Yes it may help to unravel what exactly happened etc but can't that be done in private somehow? People do not need to be reminded of the horrendous tragedy especially those who lost friends and family.
Rhian Jones, Wales
Yes. The information within those tapes could be invaluable to understanding what happened on 9-11 and how to prevent such a tragedy again. All of those killed had friends and relatives throughout the country, as well as the world, and they also have aright to know.
Brian L., Seattle, Wa, USA
Could you imagine it if one of your family members became a sound bite for 9/11? Every time they want to remember they play your mother's, daughter's, son's, father's goodbye message forcing you to remember. Sounds to me like the real terrorists are in the media.
James Clarke, UK
| The courts should restrict access to accredited researchers and family members only |
The New York Times went to court to get these transcripts released "in the public interest" so they could supposedly be analysed for clues to help prevent similar problems in the future.....nothing to do with increasing the paper's circulation of course. If these documents must be released then the courts should restrict access to accredited researchers and family members only and ban the NYT from printing a single word. The NYT wouldn't mind of course.
John R. Smith, UK I agree with releasing the transcripts. I read about the website for families..I think it should be seen by the public also. I think this is one way we will never forget, and will always have conpassion in our heart for those families, and contempt for the cowards that did this. I didn't know anyone who lost their life, but we should never forget!!
Kelly Douglas, USA
I don't like the idea that such texts have been made public property, and it undoubtedly makes relatives hunt for the last words of the dying - a futile search, in all likelihood, or a disappointing one. But in this cynical, jaded age, perhaps some genuine reminders of pain and despair do help to remind the world what an undignified business death really is, and that terrorism is the slaughter of innocents in pursuit of a political cause.
Mel, UK
| Buildings can be rebuilt, people's lives are another matter |
For people outside of New York (and the US) it is a timely reminder that people were lost, not just landmarks. If the lives lost are not to be in vain, then we must use these reminders as motivation to seek out the rest of these terrorist cells and continue to shut them down. Buildings can be rebuilt, people's lives are another matter.
Jeremy Hoyle, Germany I think this is appalling! Haven't the families been through enough with having lost their loved ones? This decision should have been made by the relatives of the victims, and each individual decision they made, whether to agree to it, or not, should have been final.
Marie, UK
Seems like another way to milk a bit more publicity out of the event. Two years later and no longer fresh in our minds, and then this happens.
Babbo, UK
This is voyeurism and it's depraved. I remember being deeply disturbed in 2001 by the sight of people throwing themselves to their death from windows and the few recordings of people's voices that were aired back then. For all our sakes - the living and the poor souls who lost their lives - have some respect, let them rest in peace, and don't do this. It really is sick.
Helen Kendall, UK
I really don't understand why the NY Times felt this was worth going to court and fighting over. We know that many attacks have been thwarted around the world since 9/11, but does anyone really want access to every detail about them? That kind of mentality makes us sound scared, or worse, it sounds like some want us to live in fear. Surely there's more pressing issues to tie up our justice system with, and the NY Times knows that.
Brendan McGarvey, NYC, USA The final say must be left to the relatives not the courts. If the relatives decide that it would help them move on, then fine, but while I pray I am never in their position, I cannot imagine for one minute that I would want the final moments of a loved one broadcast to the world.
Gavin, NI/UK
The transcripts should be released. I read them and yes, it made me relive that horrible day. The personalising of the messages of these people about to die makes the transcripts so poignant. But a hundred years from now these same transcripts will be in a history lesson and these transcripts will be considered as mundane as a prime source. They will eventually serve as part of the historical and public record.
B. Krane, USA
My heartfelt condolences to all victims, families and friends. They shouldn't. It happened, it's over. If you keep raking up the past, you end up finding the future filled with wars!
Andy Green, UK
| This is cruel sensationalist journalism |
Each conversation should have been transcribed and offered to the next of kin on an individual basis and then they should have been given the option to allow the text into the public domain or keep it private. This is cruel sensationalist journalism by the NY Times who obviously need to boost their circulation but do not have decent enough journalists to be able to compete with other newspapers.
Duncan, UK What possible good can it do to publish victims' last conversations, except to satisfy prurient, sensation seeking curiosity?
Fiona, England
Yes the victims' last words should be published as a historical record. However, there should be an embargo on doing so for 100 years. Until then, the recordings should be sealed and only released when anyone who knew the victims personally has died of old age. This is the only humane way to release the recordings without causing upset.
Anon, London, UK
| Just to recapture a bit of the awe that we felt when we watched 3,000 die? |
What right do we, the public have to hear these last suffering pleas? Why would we want to - just to recapture a bit of the awe and "enormity" of the event again that we felt safe in our homes and offices when we watched 3,000 innocent people die? This is not the black box of a crashed airliner. We know exactly what happened. Nothing can be learned from this which would prevent future disasters. I am not close to forgetting this terrible day and don't need a horrific reminder like this. Let's not be so horribly selfish.
Avril, NY, USA To suggest that such information could make a meaningful contribution to future situations is, I suspect a piece of shallow, commercial sleight of hand and is to be condemned. To ignore the views of relatives would be a disgrace. They must retain a right of veto on this issue.
Paul B, UK
I find curious the remarks that there are those who want to feel others' misery. After being a nurse for nine years and burying nearly half a dozen of my nearest and dearest in the past four, perhaps my perspective is different from those who have been more insulated from grief. I suspect there's a human need to feel deeply, and perhaps these transcripts can help some people meet that need. In any case, I, too, feel adamantly that only transcripts seen and approved for publication by each victim's nearest kin should be released.
Isabel, US
| To release them only fuels al-Qaeda satisfaction |
I think comments made within the last minutes of people's lives on 9/11 are intensely personal and shouldn't be made available for public consumption. The only possible exceptions are if someone says "Let everybody know" or "Please tell the world that..." where these last thought may be considered dying wishes. Otherwise, to release them only fuels sensationalism and - indirectly - al-Qaeda satisfaction.
Chino, US I am sickened to think that the last words of loved ones can be used as another political ploy to try and justify the invasion of Iraq by fuelling hatred into the hearts of people.
Eileen Mesilio, Gibraltar
If any of my loved ones died like that I wouldn't want to hear their last words, screams or breath. This is not only going to victimize us but also glorify those terrorists who did this. Why give those hateful people the satisfaction of not only knowing that they killed them, but also hear them dying? If we keep dwelling on the past, we will never be able to go forward with our future.
Angela, USA
The US will make a movie next; we all know this. So going against the wishes of the next of kin is not a surprise is it?
Graham, UK
| We read comments of Nazi victims from the Holocaust |
I think the comments should be published so that future generations can read them. We now read comments of Nazi victims from the Holocaust (the few documented stories). However if a family has a specific request to not publish their personal comments, maybe those comments should be withheld.
Pree, Canada Why would anybody want to hear the desperate last moments of people trapped in burning buildings? Sick.
Anon, UK
It is too insensitive to make the victims' relatives relive such a horror. And all this is just for the benefit of those who live vicariously through the misery of others?!
Amit Prasad, India
I do not think they should be published for public viewing - I started to read a short extract posted by another news website but stopped because I felt uncomfortable, as if I was eavesdropping on someone's private conversation.
Erica, UK
I think the tapes should be published but with conditions attached to stop them being used for the wrong means. The only thing they should be used for is to remind us of the tragedy of that day and I am sure all who read them will have northing but sorrow for those who lost their lives and the loved ones they left behind.
Paul, Sydney, Australia
I totally oppose the transcripts being made available. If you lost a son or daughter, brother or sister, would you like to read of their anguish and have their unimaginable fear and terror brought vividly to your mind or would you rather remember them at their most peaceful and loving before their lives were taken? It's far too close to the event to excuse the release of these transcripts as being of historical importance. Perhaps in years to come and with the families express permission.
David, Ireland
| This is an unpatriotic act |
No. There is no political or social motive that is as important as the right that the victims and their families have to the privacy of the manner of their deaths. What possible valid journalistic value could these tapes provide? In an era where patriotism has reached an acrimonious fervour, this is an unpatriotic act. This act shows a stark disrespect for the families of the victims.
Robert, US We lived through this once, and every time more photos, recordings, or transcripts are published, we are forced to once more live through it again. It is as if you are finally beginning to stand up, and are promptly kicked in the stomach. But this is the US, and as much as I do not want the transcripts published, they legally must be. Overall, it is for the better.
Peter, New York City, USA
I cannot describe my disbelief that people would wish to hear others in such suffering. If relatives of those who died wish to hear the transcript then they should be able to but I don't think it should be published for all to hear. Some things that may have been said during that terrible time may have been private and should stay that way.
Shell, UK
There's no doubt that the tapes are important historical records, but unless the families consent to their release, I don't think they should be made public. Maybe some years down the road, but not now.
Mel, NYC
| We need to confront it. We need to read the final words of our fellow man and remember the fear |
Yes, as painful as the transcripts will be, they must be published. What happened to us on September 11 must be fully understood, the horror we experienced that day, and the months thereafter, faced straight-on. It is inappropriate to try to bury one's head in the sand in the face of such evil. We need to confront it. We need to read the final words of our fellow man and remember the fear, the pain, the chemical burning stink of that beautiful sunny day, and keep that painful impression imprinted in the forefront of our minds. We can never forget it. We cannot let that day become sanitized. The torment those people went through in the last hours of their lives must be known in order to fully appreciate the atrocity, the sin against humanity, that 19 thugs committed. If you personally do not want to read them, then don't.
Sondi Mahoney, US
Isn't it spooky how these tapes are released at a time when support of the war that followed these attacks is at its lowest? What better way to swing public favour than by dragging the public through the ordeal over and over again? I wonder what they'll suddenly have permission to release when it comes to the next US elections, and Bush needs a little help in reminding everyone how great he is? It would have been really awful if it had been just an inadequate political leader who had to deal with the aftermath of the disaster. If it had just been some average president he might have almost started World War Three! Thank God that didn't happen.
Toby Bradbury, UK
I think it's extremely important for people to know what went on that day. Hearing first-hand accounts from victims of this horrific event will - hopefully - make others think twice before becoming involved in any sort of terrorist activity and contributing to the deaths of innocents.
Martin, UK
| Remember them, but don't trivialise them! |
I don't see how releasing the transcripts is helpful - what more do we need to know? Terrorists attacked the buildings and many innocents died. Why make the victims' families relive their nightmares? Isn't life hard enough for them anyway? Those who died have gone forever, remember them, but don't trivialise them!
Ali, UK Maybe by publishing the transcripts, it may, even if it is a slim chance, affect the people behind such attacks, and make them realise the pain they caused... though I know this is probably clutching at straws.
Emily, UK
Of course it is important to research and explore any avenue which will help to improve emergency responses in future, but I don't think publication of these transcripts will help to do this. There is a real difference between making the transcripts available to those who can genuinely use them for response improvement and publishing them for the general public to read. A balance must be maintained between the public's "right to know" (in the public interest) and in relatives' right to keep their deceased's last personal messages private.
Heather Ferguson, UK
| This is insincere, insensitive and vulgar |
The New York Times are not acting as public servants in doing this. They may think they are, but their action in court to 'free' these transcripts is merely financial - to sell newspapers! I think that this is insincere, insensitive and vulgar.
Gillian, N Ireland Words fail me. This is the most insensitive thing I have ever had the misfortune to witness. I am speechless. Bush must intervene. It is a huge slap in the face for the relatives of these poor victims.
Anuj, UK
On September 11 I worked for a large bank in the City who had offices in the Trade Center. We watched it unfold live on CNN. We watched our US colleagues leave their desks and try to get home. I will never forget that day or even that week. I don't think releasing the transcripts to the public serves any purpose. The transcripts should be gone through privately by those who may be able to gain some helpful information for the future from them. My thoughts are once again with the relatives of those who died on that horrible day.
Flick, Surrey, UK
Yet another example of the media aiding terrorists. I think the information should be available only to the relatives. Time and again the media have shown a distinct lack of judgement about what they publish or broadcast. The US criticises Arab media for publishing terrorist propaganda, then they allow it themselves.
Tim, UK
| Having read some of the extracts I now understand why these must be released |
I started the day thinking the tapes should not be released, but having read some of the extracts I now understand why these must be released. Tears began to roll down my cheeks as I read the last words of many brave people. I know this will cause pain and suffering to the families of victims, but maybe this will make the world stop and think. Everybody wants to live in peace, but making the first step is the hardest thing to do.
Ben, UK I do not think it is right. These transcripts will be used by the press to hype the situation which is the last thing that is needed. We need to heal the situation, not make it worse. Are we really such a bunch of ghouls that we want to read/hear this kind of thing? I agree that there may be evidence contained in the messages but this can be found without making the transcripts available to everyone.
Steve, England
This is a truly unique situation. The victims of this tragedy knew they would probably die in there workplace a distance away from their family and friends. So what can they do but call them on the phone and tell them they love them and that they are scared? These are deeply, deeply personal words between families and should not be released. For what gains can there be in doing this? If I was dying and had minutes to tell the people I know how much I love them and to be told how much I'm going to be missed after my death, I certainly would not the whole world to read or hear those words..!
Nik, UK
| They should be edited so that it is not offensive or upsetting to anyone |
I do not agree with this whole affair. It is rather upsetting. I think if you want to publish such details around New York, they should be edited so that it is not offensive or upsetting to anyone. Some people may find this morbid and sickening. Editing should be done and if the family wants to read or hear the word for word details then the family should hear/see it and the family alone.
Jennifer, Scotland If America loved their lost heroes that day, why are they then torturing the loved ones they left behind?
Steve , UK
Knowing the loss of having two friends murdered in separate incidents. It was horrifying when the Towers collapsed and the world watched as people's loved ones, friends and colleagues died. So now someone wants to make money from their screams? There are no words to express such inhumanity.
Helen, UK
Do not publish the transcripts. They will be scrutinised only by ghouls for their own gratification.
Patrick, Canada
The answer to that is simple! Absolutely not without prior permission from the relatives!
Liz, UK
| All who take time to read I am sure will do so out of sympathy and respect |
Anything that serves to remind us all of the horror of that day must help us in our efforts to defeat this evil. Though I appreciate the feelings of relatives on this issue, the main thing is that memory fades, and with it we lose a grasp of the enormity of the event. Nothing will serve to remind us of this more than the desperate and deeply personal last moments of the poor people in the Trade Center. In a way, we can share a little of their fear, and experience in a small measure how they felt. All who take time to read I am sure will do so out of sympathy and respect.
Mark, England I do not think emergency calls should be published unless relatives of the victims consent to it.
Richard, UK
I think it is a good idea to publish the transcripts for more clues about attack, so that the whole world will feel the sorrow of human misery.
Krishna Acharya, UK
One-Minute World News 
News services
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
