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| Family appeal for missing BBC man | Family appeal for missing BBC man |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The parents of BBC correspondent Alan Johnston have made a direct appeal to his captors in Gaza for his release. | The parents of BBC correspondent Alan Johnston have made a direct appeal to his captors in Gaza for his release. |
| In an open letter, Mr Johnston's father read: "You have family. Please think about what this is doing to my family. Please let my son go now, today." | In an open letter, Mr Johnston's father read: "You have family. Please think about what this is doing to my family. Please let my son go now, today." |
| The appeal comes on an international day of action to highlight the plight of the veteran reporter, who was seized by gunmen one month ago. | The appeal comes on an international day of action to highlight the plight of the veteran reporter, who was seized by gunmen one month ago. |
| The BBC, al-Jazeera, and Sky News simulcast a special live programme. | |
| There are so many people worldwide all hoping and praying for your release, not least of which I'm sure, are the vast majority of the Palestinian population Graham JohnstonAlan's father Family's letter to Alan in full Send a message of support class="" href="/1/hi/talking_point/6518185.stm">Add your name to petition onClick="javascript:newsi.utils.av.launch({storyId:6548371, fileLoc: '/player/nol/newsid_6540000/newsid_6548300/', nbram: 1,bbwm: 1,bbram: 1,nbwm: 1});return false;" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/player/nol/newsid_6540000/newsid_6548300?redirect=6548371.stm&news=1&nbram=1&bbwm=1&bbram=1&nbwm=1">Father's statement | |
| Alan's father, Graham Johnston, read a message to his son, telling him not to worry about his family, saying that they were "hanging in there" and "keeping a stiff upper lip". | Alan's father, Graham Johnston, read a message to his son, telling him not to worry about his family, saying that they were "hanging in there" and "keeping a stiff upper lip". |
| Growing concerns | |
| Mr Johnston thanked the BBC, his fellow journalists and the Palestinian people for their support. | Mr Johnston thanked the BBC, his fellow journalists and the Palestinian people for their support. |
| "We are overwhelmed at such support, all of which helps to buoy us up during the past seemingly interminable four weeks," he said at the news conference in London. | "We are overwhelmed at such support, all of which helps to buoy us up during the past seemingly interminable four weeks," he said at the news conference in London. |
| In the West Bank, BBC director general Mark Thompson also made a direct appeal for Alan Johnston's release, saying there were growing concerns for his well-being. | In the West Bank, BBC director general Mark Thompson also made a direct appeal for Alan Johnston's release, saying there were growing concerns for his well-being. |
| Mr Thompson met Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday. | Mr Thompson met Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday. |
| THE EDITORS' BLOG There is almost no hard evidence - but we are optimistic he is safe Helen Boaden,Director, BBC News Read Helen's comments in full BBC director-general's statement | THE EDITORS' BLOG There is almost no hard evidence - but we are optimistic he is safe Helen Boaden,Director, BBC News Read Helen's comments in full BBC director-general's statement |
| "He told me that he had credible evidence that Alan was safe and well. He assured me that Palestinian Authority is fully engaged with Alan's case and working to resolve this as soon as possible," Mr Thompson said. | "He told me that he had credible evidence that Alan was safe and well. He assured me that Palestinian Authority is fully engaged with Alan's case and working to resolve this as soon as possible," Mr Thompson said. |
| But he emphasised that there had been no contact with any kidnappers and no demands had been received. | But he emphasised that there had been no contact with any kidnappers and no demands had been received. |
| He went on: "It is vital for all journalists to be able to report freely and without fear of harassment and intimidation. The people of Gaza are ill-served by kidnappings of this nature." | He went on: "It is vital for all journalists to be able to report freely and without fear of harassment and intimidation. The people of Gaza are ill-served by kidnappings of this nature." |
| Broadcasters unite | Broadcasters unite |
| A half-hour programme was broadcast from the West Bank town of Ramallah, anchored by Jeremy Bowen, the BBC's Middle East Editor. It included reports from al-Jazeera, CNN and Sky. | |
| Introducing the programme, Mr Bowen said: "About the only good thing to come out of the last month is the way Alan's colleagues, especially here in the occupied Palestinian territories, have rallied around him. | |
| TODAY'S EVENTS (TIMES GMT) 0800: Rally, Gaza City0805: BBC director general news conference, Ramallah, West Bank1000: News conference including statement from Johnston's family, London1330: Simulcast by BBC, al-Jazeera and Sky1400: Main rally in Gaza Timeline: Reporter missing | TODAY'S EVENTS (TIMES GMT) 0800: Rally, Gaza City0805: BBC director general news conference, Ramallah, West Bank1000: News conference including statement from Johnston's family, London1330: Simulcast by BBC, al-Jazeera and Sky1400: Main rally in Gaza Timeline: Reporter missing |
| "This is the first time that global news networks have come together like this. We stand united in support of Alan Johnston - and all our colleagues who are in harm's way," he said. | |
| 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." | 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." |
| A poster campaign has also been unveiled at prominent sites in London and Mr Johnston's native Scotland. | A poster campaign has also been unveiled at prominent sites in London and Mr Johnston's native Scotland. |
| The 44-year-old was taken hostage by masked gunmen as he returned to his apartment in Gaza City on 12 March. | The 44-year-old was taken hostage by masked gunmen as he returned to his apartment in Gaza City on 12 March. |
| Kidnappers have abducted dozens of foreigners in Gaza, but none have been held so long as Mr Johnston. | Kidnappers have abducted dozens of foreigners in Gaza, but none have been held so long as Mr Johnston. |
| Mr Johnston 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. | Mr Johnston 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 has lived and worked in Gaza for three years and was the only Western reporter permanently based in the often violent and lawless territory. | He has lived and worked in Gaza for three years and was the only Western reporter permanently based in the often violent and lawless territory. |
| His posting in Gaza had been due to end in late March. | His posting in Gaza had been due to end in late March. |