Alan Johnston, a BBC journalist, was abuducted as he returned home from his Gaza office over a month ago, on the 12th of March (timeline).
On Friday, over 30,000 people signed an online petition calling for Alan’s release following a day of action where the BBC, al-Jazeera, CNN and Sky News joined together in an unprecedented special live television broadcast seeking his release.
On Sunday there are reports that a Palestinian group calling itself Al Tawhid Al Jihad brigade has issued a claim, thus far unsubstantiated, that it has killed BBC Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston.
Hopefully the claim will prove to be false and Alan will soon be released.
Johnston’s abduction highlights the threats to the safety of journalists working in many parts of the world. According to a recent report published by the International News Safety Institute, around the world, two newsgatherers a week are killed, most of them covering local stories rather than being killed accidently in war zones.
The death of each and every one of these journalists is inexcusable. So too is the abduction of Alan Johnston who reported for the BBC from Gaza with great integrity – so much so that reporters and journalists from throughout the region have helped lead protests to secure his release.
Johnston is said to understand more than most the complex risks of undertaking such a role yet continued to report from the streets of Gaza itself, rather than from the safety of hotel or secure compound. The result of his bravery and determination to do so was to place him in a better position from which understand and report a conflict that polarises world opinion.
Alan Johnston’s colleagues at the BBC have been joined by people working throughout the journalism and media industry, as well as UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and over 35,000 signatories to an online petition, to appear for Alan’s immediate release without harm. Denying his liberty and freedom also denies the people of Gaza the opportunity to tell their stories of daily struggle and conflict through him.
Alan Johnston’s father, Graham, in a second broadcast appeal for his son to be freed immediately, told his kidnappers: “Please think about what this is doing to my family”.
Lebanese TV reporter Diana Moukalled, said it was very important “to show our solidarity with any colleague that’s harmed because of his job”.
Today, Alan Johnston’s BBC colleagues did exactly that by holding vigils in front of Bush House, Television Centre and other buildings.
You can find out more about Alan Johnston and show your solidarity by joining the over 35,000 people who have thus far signed a petition asking for his immediate release.