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/6524879.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| BBC users urge reporter's release | BBC users urge reporter's release |
| (about 16 hours later) | |
| BBC News website users have written in their thousands to demand the release of BBC Gaza reporter Alan Johnston. | BBC News website users have written in their thousands to demand the release of BBC Gaza reporter Alan Johnston. |
| More than 6,000 people have responded to a BBC online appeal, with new names being added every few minutes. | |
| A Palestinian parliament session was called off when reporters blocked entrance in protest at perceived government inaction about Mr Johnston. | A Palestinian parliament session was called off when reporters blocked entrance in protest at perceived government inaction about Mr Johnston. |
| Mr Johnston disappeared on 12 March and is feared kidnapped, although there has been no claim of responsibility. | Mr Johnston disappeared on 12 March and is feared kidnapped, although there has been no claim of responsibility. |
| Reports said there were scuffles outside the parliament building in Gaza as security personnel attempted to move the journalists aside. Protesters also gathered at the parliament building in Ramallah, in the West Bank. | Reports said there were scuffles outside the parliament building in Gaza as security personnel attempted to move the journalists aside. Protesters also gathered at the parliament building in Ramallah, in the West Bank. |
| Nothing good will come from the continued detention of Alan. Please release him CY Lim, Singapore Palestinian journalists have been on strike, boycotting government business, to pressure it to do more to secure the release of Mr Johnston. | Nothing good will come from the continued detention of Alan. Please release him CY Lim, Singapore Palestinian journalists have been on strike, boycotting government business, to pressure it to do more to secure the release of Mr Johnston. |
| He is believed to be the only western journalist still working full-time in the Gaza Strip, following a wave of kidnappings last year. His disappearance has lasted longer than any previous abduction. | He is believed to be the only western journalist still working full-time in the Gaza Strip, following a wave of kidnappings last year. His disappearance has lasted longer than any previous abduction. |
| Reassuring voice | Reassuring voice |
| The BBC online petition was started on Monday, the day a newspaper advert was published urging his release backed by hundreds of colleagues and media personalities. | The BBC online petition was started on Monday, the day a newspaper advert was published urging his release backed by hundreds of colleagues and media personalities. |
| The petition says: "We, the undersigned, demand the immediate release of BBC Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston. | The petition says: "We, the undersigned, demand the immediate release of BBC Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston. |
| Palestinian media workers are angry Johnston is still held"We ask again that everyone with influence on this situation increase their efforts, to ensure that Alan is freed quickly and unharmed." | Palestinian media workers are angry Johnston is still held"We ask again that everyone with influence on this situation increase their efforts, to ensure that Alan is freed quickly and unharmed." |
| BBC Interactivity assistant editor Matthew Eltringham said: "There has been a hugely positive response to our petition, and a strong message in support of Alan, with people emailing from all over the world." | BBC Interactivity assistant editor Matthew Eltringham said: "There has been a hugely positive response to our petition, and a strong message in support of Alan, with people emailing from all over the world." |
| Website users have also taken the opportunity to send messages of support for the missing correspondent. | Website users have also taken the opportunity to send messages of support for the missing correspondent. |
| "I remember Alan best by his calm and very reassuring voice over the air from half a world away," wrote CY Lim, of Singapore. | "I remember Alan best by his calm and very reassuring voice over the air from half a world away," wrote CY Lim, of Singapore. |
| "Nothing good will come from the continued detention of Alan. Please release him." | "Nothing good will come from the continued detention of Alan. Please release him." |
| Senior BBC colleagues of Mr Johnston have appealed to Palestinian leaders including the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniya. | Senior BBC colleagues of Mr Johnston have appealed to Palestinian leaders including the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and 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. |