UK
3 October 2014
Last updated at 10:30 ET
John Cantlie was kidnapped in Syria in 2012
Paul Cantlie said he felt "great relief" at seeing his son for the first time in two years, but also experienced "despair and helplessness".
His family has been trying to deliver an "important message" to IS, he added.
At the end of the five-and-a-half minute film, he indicated there will be further messages.
There are no signs of violence in the videos but, in the first, Mr Cantlie made clear he was speaking as a prisoner whose life was in danger.
'Seeking true story' His father said: "For the first time in almost two years, we saw John when he made a televised broadcast during which he told viewers that he was still a prisoner of the Islamic State and that maybe he will live and maybe he will die.
"As a family we experienced great relief seeing and hearing John and knowing that he is alive. This was followed by the feeling of despair and helplessness."
He said when his son was captured in northern Syria while working as a photojournalist, he was "seeking out the true story of the suffering of the Syrian people".
Mr Cantlie as he appears in the third video
"John felt a strong need to help in the best way that he
could," said his father. "As an impartial and respected journalist he
knew that he could make a difference by acting as a platform for the
world to listen to and take notice, using his journalistic skills for
the good of the people, as a friend and as a civilian."
The Cantlie family is trying to communicate with IS "to deliver an important message regarding John" but has yet to receive a response, said Mr Cantlie.
In a direct message to the militants, he said: "To those holding John: please know that he is a good man, he sought only to help the Syrian people and I ask you from all that is sacred, to help us and allow him to return home safely to those he loves and who love him."
He said his family had received "many messages" of support.
Paul Cantlie made the statement from hospital
"Speaking entirely for myself, this is not how I had imagined I would be passing my 81st year," he added.
"I want John to know how very proud I am of him. I can think of no greater joy than seeing my dear son released and allowed to return home to us."
The experienced journalist and photographer has twice been held captive in Syria.
He was kidnapped in July 2012, and handcuffed and blindfolded for a week, but escaped with the help from the Free Syrian Army.
A second kidnap happened when he returned to Syria towards the end of 2012.
by Emily Straton and Biodun Iginla, BBC News
John Cantlie was kidnapped in Syria in 2012
The father of UK hostage John Cantlie has appealed for him to be released "to those he loves and who love him".
The journalist, who was kidnapped in Syria in 2012 and is
being held by Islamic State (IS) militants, has so far appeared in three
videos. Paul Cantlie said he felt "great relief" at seeing his son for the first time in two years, but also experienced "despair and helplessness".
His family has been trying to deliver an "important message" to IS, he added.
Continue reading the main story
“Start Quote
Paul CantlieI can think of no greater joy than seeing my dear son released and allowed to return home to us”
The videos have all followed the
same format, with Mr Cantlie appearing sitting at a desk against a
black backdrop to address the camera.
In the most recent, released earlier this week, he delivered a
scripted message mocking the US strategy of using air strikes combined
with local ground forces. At the end of the five-and-a-half minute film, he indicated there will be further messages.
There are no signs of violence in the videos but, in the first, Mr Cantlie made clear he was speaking as a prisoner whose life was in danger.
'Seeking true story' His father said: "For the first time in almost two years, we saw John when he made a televised broadcast during which he told viewers that he was still a prisoner of the Islamic State and that maybe he will live and maybe he will die.
"As a family we experienced great relief seeing and hearing John and knowing that he is alive. This was followed by the feeling of despair and helplessness."
He said when his son was captured in northern Syria while working as a photojournalist, he was "seeking out the true story of the suffering of the Syrian people".
Mr Cantlie as he appears in the third video
The Cantlie family is trying to communicate with IS "to deliver an important message regarding John" but has yet to receive a response, said Mr Cantlie.
In a direct message to the militants, he said: "To those holding John: please know that he is a good man, he sought only to help the Syrian people and I ask you from all that is sacred, to help us and allow him to return home safely to those he loves and who love him."
He said his family had received "many messages" of support.
Paul Cantlie made the statement from hospital
"I want John to know how very proud I am of him. I can think of no greater joy than seeing my dear son released and allowed to return home to us."
The experienced journalist and photographer has twice been held captive in Syria.
He was kidnapped in July 2012, and handcuffed and blindfolded for a week, but escaped with the help from the Free Syrian Army.
A second kidnap happened when he returned to Syria towards the end of 2012.
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