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| BBC's day of action for reporter | BBC's day of action for reporter |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| An international day of action is taking place to highlight the plight of BBC journalist Alan Johnston, who is thought to have been abducted in Gaza. | |
| For the first time, some of the world's major news broadcasters will televise a special live programme simultaneously, paying tribute to Mr Johnston's work. | |
| It will be presented by the BBC from the West Bank town of Ramallah, with input by Sky News, CNN and al-Jazeera. | |
| BBC Director-General Mark Thompson is making a direct appeal for his release. | BBC Director-General Mark Thompson is making a direct appeal for his release. |
| Without news reporters the world is ignorant to what is going on in it, be it good or bad Justin Holden, Burlington, USABBC News website reader class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=5911&edition=1">Send a message of support | |
| Mr Johnston's family are also expected to address a news conference. A poster campaign is being unveiled at prominent sites in London and his native Scotland. | |
| The day of international action comes one calendar month after Mr Johnston went missing on his way home from work on 12 March. | |
| Broadcasters unite | Broadcasters unite |
| "Alan is the BBC's highly experienced and respected correspondent and one of only a few Western journalists who have been permanently based in Gaza," a BBC statement says. | "Alan is the BBC's highly experienced and respected correspondent and one of only a few Western journalists who have been permanently based in Gaza," a BBC statement says. |
| "He has spent three years living and working in the area." | "He has spent three years living and working in the area." |
| Palestinian journalists led earlier rallies for Alan JohnstonA simulcast programme will go on air from Ramallah at 1430 BST (1330 GMT) anchored by Jeremy Bowen, the BBC's Middle East Editor. It will include live reports from al-Jazeera, CNN, and Sky. | |
| Richard Porter, head of news for BBC World, said: "We wanted to produce a programme which had impact in the Middle East and around the globe and we are extremely grateful for all the co-operation shown by our fellow broadcasters. | |
| "We don't think this has ever happened before - but all the broadcasters involved share a common aim to highlight Alan's case and to remind viewers of the dangers faced by their news teams more frequently than ever." | "We don't think this has ever happened before - but all the broadcasters involved share a common aim to highlight Alan's case and to remind viewers of the dangers faced by their news teams more frequently than ever." |
| The Palestinian government has said it is "deeply sorry" Mr Johnston is still being held. | |
| On Tuesday, Palestinian Information Minister Mustafa Barghouti said the government was making every effort it could to secure Mr Johnston's release. | On Tuesday, Palestinian Information Minister Mustafa Barghouti said the government was making every effort it could to secure Mr Johnston's release. |