Networks To Palestinians: Free Journalist
In an unprecedented show of unity and concern, three international news networks held a joint broadcast Thursday calling for the release of BBC journalist Alan Johnston, a month after he was kidnapped by Palestinian gunmen in Gaza City.
The 25-minute broadcast by the British Broadcasting Corp., Al-Jazeera and Sky News — with a contribution from CNN — was part of a day of public events meant to put pressure on the kidnappers, including an appeal from Johnston's father to "let my son go. Now. Today!"
Alan Johnston, a native of Scotland who was abducted at gunpoint on March 12, has been held longer than any other foreigner kidnapped in Gaza. Johnston, the only foreign reporter based in Gaza, was snatched just weeks before he was scheduled to end his three-year stint there. There has been no sign of life from him since, and no word from his captors.
In other developments:
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told the BBC on Wednesday that he had "credible evidence that Alan was safe and well," BBC director general Mark Thompson said during a news conference in Ramallah on Thursday.
Abbas aide Saeb Erekat said the Palestinian president had been reassured that Johnston was alive, and Abbas "is exerting every possible effort to ensure his release."
"I have never been more ashamed as a Palestinian than what I feel now with the continued abduction of Johnston," Erekat said.
The so-called "Day of Action" on behalf of Johnston was organized by the BBC to ensure that his plight is not forgotten.
In a morning news conference in London, the journalist's father, Graham Johnston, read an appeal to those holding him.
"You have families. Please think about what this is doing to my family," he said.
He also told his son not to worry about his family and to maintain hope.
"Chin up, my son," he said.
Later, the BBC, Sky and Al-Jazeera English cut into their regular programming in the afternoon for a joint broadcast focusing on Johnston.
The 25-minute, commercial-free live broadcast was anchored by Jeremy Bowen, the BBC's Middle East editor, from the main square in the West Bank city of Ramallah. A poster reading "Free Alan" could be seen in the background.
The three stations, as well as CNN, contributed segments on Johnson's work from Gaza, the ongoing dangers that journalists face in the chaotic territory and the protests demanding Alan be freed. They showed Johnston's empty desk in his BBC office and conducted interviews with Gaza journalists and foreign correspondents about their concerns and thoughts about their captive colleague.
"Alan is a good and honest reporter who for three years has been doing some brilliant work from Gaza," Bowen said.
In addition to the broadcast, all four stations ran stories all day highlighting Johnston's situation.
In New York, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Thursday he was "deeply concerned" that Johnston was still being held captive and said he would do whatever he could to secure his release.
"I sincerely hope that those who are responsible for this abduction should release him unconditionally and immediately," he told reporters at U.N. headquarters.
More than a dozen foreign journalists and aid workers have been abducted by Gaza gunmen in the past 18 months, often in a bid by Palestinian militants to get money or jobs. Most have been released unharmed within hours or days. The one exception was the abduction of two Fox News employees in August. They were held two weeks before they were freed, unharmed.
In Gaza, about 200 Palestinian journalists held a rally, hoisting posters reading, "Free Alan" and "Alan, they are not one of us," referring to the kidnappers. A smaller protest was held in Ramallah.
"We are disappointed by presidential and governmental foot-dragging on the release of our kidnapped colleague," said Sakher Abu-Owan, a Palestinian journalist. "Our concern over Alan's safety is growing every day."
Thompson, the BBC director, said there have been no contacts with Johnston's captors, and no demands from them.
"It is vital for all journalists to be able to report freely and without fear of harassment and intimidation," he said.
"I appeal to all those who may have influence with the kidnappers to use their best endeavors to secure Alan's release, safely and speedily, and to ensure his return to his family and friends as quickly as possible," he said.
Thompson said he did not know why the case was taking so long to be resolved.
Ramzi Shaheen, a spokesman for Palestinian police in Gaza, said efforts to obtain Johnston's release were continuing.