British journalist John Cantlie had n't been seen in nearly two years . Now , he 's the latest hostage to be paraded out by ISIS -- forced to deliver the group 's message . In a video released Thursday , Cantlie -- wearing an orange shirt and seated alone at a desk with a black backdrop -- says he is sending what will be the first in a series of messages on behalf of the group that calls itself the Islamic State . Since Cantlie is delivering ISIS propaganda and makes clear in the video he is speaking under duress , CNN is not showing the video on its platforms . In recent weeks , ISIS has drawn growing attention for spewing brutal propaganda across social media -- messages meant both to terrify and recruit Westerners . The group appears to have a well-funded , well-organized social media and video production effort . Its videos are slickly produced , with high production values . This month , a federal law enforcement official told CNN a former Boston resident and U.S. citizen may have joined ISIS and started helping with its online efforts . Cantlie , a photojournalist who also wrote several articles for major British newspapers , was kidnapped in November 2012 along with American journalist James Foley . ISIS released a video showing Foley 's execution last month . This month the group released videos showing the executions of two other Western hostages , American journalist Steven Sotloff and British aid worker David Haines . Cantlie 's LinkedIn profile describes him as a journalist and photographer with 20 years ' experience specializing in working in hostile environments , including Afghanistan , Somalia , Libya and Syria . `` I love stories of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances , '' he wrote in an online portfolio describing his work . He was previously abducted in Syria with a Dutch journalist in July 2012 . Both were shot when they tried to escape through a hole in their tent . `` We stepped out the back and ran for our lives , '' he said in a television interview describing the failed escape attempt . Several days later , they were rescued by Free Syrian Army rebels . On his return , Cantlie reported that some of the hostage-takers were British , including a London-based doctor who treated his gunshot wounds . In London 's Sunday Times , he described his experience being held at a camp in Syria . The British citizens there were seemingly of mixed ethnicities and spoke of a wider war after Syria `` because when they learn that Sharia ( law ) is spreading into Syria , then we will be at war with America , '' Cantlie told the Times . Just a few months later , Cantlie returned to Syria , only to be kidnapped again . In the video , he says he was captured by the Islamic State after he returned to Syria in November 2012 . Now , ISIS is using him , as a journalist , as a British hostage , forcing him to deliver their message . In the video , Cantlie says he will be telling the story of the other side of ISIS . `` You 're thinking , 'He 's only doing this because he 's a prisoner . He 's got a gun at his head , and he 's being forced to do this . ' Right ? Well , it 's true . I am a prisoner . That I can not deny , '' Cantlie says in the video . `` But seeing as I 've been abandoned by my government and my fate now lies in the hands of the Islamic State , I have nothing to lose . '' Contacted by CNN about the video , a British official said the Foreign & Commonwealth Office is assessing the production , considering its implications and trying to contact Cantlie 's family . Friends of British hostage Alan Henning plead with ISIS to let him go .
A British official says they are assessing the video . British journalist James Cantlie is in a video released by ISIS . He says he was abducted by the group in January 2012 . Cantlie was interviewed with American journalist James Foley .