This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6516315.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Media stars back ad for BBC man Media stars back ad for BBC man
(1 day later)
Leading media personalities in the UK have joined an appeal to boost efforts to free BBC reporter Alan Johnston, believed to have been abducted in Gaza.Leading media personalities in the UK have joined an appeal to boost efforts to free BBC reporter Alan Johnston, believed to have been abducted in Gaza.
David Dimbleby, Sir David Frost, Jon Snow and Christiane Amanpour of CNN are among 300 people backing a full-page advert in Monday's Guardian newspaper. David Dimbleby, Sir David Frost, Jon Snow and Christiane Amanpour of CNN are among hundreds of people backing a full-page advert in Monday's Guardian.
The move comes three weeks to the day that Mr Johnston, 44, disappeared.The move comes three weeks to the day that Mr Johnston, 44, disappeared.
Palestinian journalists plan a rally and a boycott in coverage of government activities to press for his release. Palestinian journalists have begun a three-day strike urging the government to do more to secure his release.
HAVE YOUR SAY Alan should be released and be able to continue to do what he does best Ahmed Duaij, Kuwait Your messages to Alan "It could have been any of us," Channel 4 News presenter Jon Snow told the BBC. "We have to stand together against this."
The BBC has had no contact since 12 March with Mr Johnston, who has lived and worked in Gaza for the past three years.The BBC has had no contact since 12 March with Mr Johnston, who has lived and worked in Gaza for the past three years.
He is widely believed to have been kidnapped, but no demands have been made public.He is widely believed to have been kidnapped, but no demands have been made public.
The Guardian advert, signed by dozens of Mr Johnston's friends and colleagues, calls on everyone with influence to increase their efforts "to ensure that Alan is freed quickly and unharmed". Boycott
The Guardian newspaper advert, signed by dozens of Mr Johnston's friends and colleagues, calls on everyone with influence to increase their efforts "to ensure that Alan is freed quickly and unharmed".
Other signatories include:Other signatories include:
  • BBC Director-General, Mark Thompson
  • Director of channels at Channel 4, Kevin Lygo
  • Editors of several London newspapers
  • Wadah Khanfar, editor-in-chief of Arabic TV network al-Jazeera
  • BBC Director-General, Mark Thompson
  • Director of channels at Channel 4, Kevin Lygo
  • Editors of several London newspapers
  • Wadah Khanfar, editor-in-chief of Arabic TV network al-Jazeera
Palestinian journalists are due to start a three-day boycott to press Palestinian authorities to do more to secure Johnston's release. Meanwhile in Gaza, the head of the Palestinian Journalists' Union, Naim Tubasi, told the BBC it was necessary to boycott Palestinian government proceedings because it was doing little to help secure the journalist's release.
The head of the Palestinian Journalists' Union, Naim Tubasi, told the BBC that the boycott was necessary as the Palestinian authorities were doing little to help secure the journalist's release. During the boycott, Mr Tubasi said no Palestinian media outlet would cover stories on the activities of the presidency or the new unity government. He said the protests would continue until Mr Johnston was freed.
During the boycott, the union leader said no Palestinian media outlet would cover stories on the activities of the presidency or the new unity government. Palestinian journalists plan to step up action for Alan JohnstonSimultaneous demonstrations are also being staged on Monday in Ramallah and Gaza City.
Palestinian journalists plan to step up action for Alan Johnston There will also be demonstrations outside BBC offices in the UK and bureaux around the world.
Simultaneous demonstrations would also be staged on Monday in Ramallah and Gaza City.
He said the protests would continue until Mr Johnston was freed.
Intensive international efforts have been going on to secure his safe return.Intensive international efforts have been going on to secure his safe return.
These include appeals from the Arab League and the European Union and non-government groups such as Amnesty International and Reporters Without Frontiers.These include appeals from the Arab League and the European Union and non-government groups such as Amnesty International and Reporters Without Frontiers.
On Monday, the International Press Institute, a media watchdog, expressed "grave concern" about Alan Johnston's fate.
IPI director Johann Fritz called on anyone with influence in Gaza to intensify their efforts to ensure his freedom.
"His work reporting fairly and accurately from Gaza has been widely praised. He has shed light on one of the world's most demanding stories - in keeping with the highest standards of the BBC," Mr Fritz said in a statement.
Senior BBC colleagues of Mr Johnston have appealed to Palestinian leaders including President Mahmoud Abbas and Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya.Senior BBC colleagues of Mr Johnston have appealed to Palestinian leaders including President Mahmoud Abbas and Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya.
Both have said everything possible is being done to free Mr Johnston.Both have said everything possible is being done to free Mr Johnston.
The BBC describes him as a highly experienced and respected reporter.The BBC describes him as a highly experienced and respected reporter.
He joined the BBC World Service in 1991 and has spent eight of the last 16 years as a correspondent, including periods in Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.He joined the BBC World Service in 1991 and has spent eight of the last 16 years as a correspondent, including periods in Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.