Paying Ransom to Terrorists Opposed by Most in Survey

By Boris Korby

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• Bloomberg Global Poll

The public executions of Westerners by Islamic State has done little to stir up support for the paying of ransom to secure hostages’ freedom, a Bloomberg Global Poll shows.
Sixty-six percent of respondents to the quarterly poll of investors, traders and analysts who are Bloomberg subscribers said it’s inappropriate for governments to meet ransom demands. Fifteen percent said it’s appropriate, while 19 percent were unsure. The sentiment against paying was strongest in the U.S. - - where the government has adopted a policy of refusing to meet ransom demands -- followed by Asia and Europe.

To see a breakdown of the results, click here.
The poll of 510 Bloomberg customers was conducted Nov. 11-12 by Selzer & Co., a Des Moines, Iowa-based firm, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.3 percentage points.