Business

AP / MOHAMMED DARAGHMEH, · Guest

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) -- Three international news networks
held a joint broadcast Thursday calling for the release of BBC
journalist Alan Johnston a month after he was kidnapped by
Palestinian gunmen in Gaza City.
The 25-minute broadcast by the British Broadcasting Corp.,
Al-Jazeera and Sky News -- with a contribution from CNN -- was part of
a day of public events meant to put pressure on the kidnappers,
including an appeal from Johnston's father to "let my son go. Now.
Today!"
Alan Johnston, a Scotland native who was abducted at
gunpoint March 12, has been held longer than any other foreigner
kidnapped in Gaza. Johnston, the only foreign reporter based in
Gaza, was snatched just weeks before he was scheduled to end his
three-year stint there. There has been no sign from him since, and
no word from his captors.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told the BBC on
Wednesday he had "credible evidence that Alan was safe and well,"
BBC director general Mark Thompson said during a news conference in
Ramallah Thursday.
Abbas aide Saeb Erekat said the Palestinian president had
been reassured that Johnston was alive, and Abbas "is exerting every
possible effort to ensure his release."
"I have never been more ashamed as a Palestinian than what I
feel now with the continued abduction of Johnston," Erekat said.
The so-called "Day of Action" on behalf of Johnston was
organized by the BBC to ensure that his plight is not forgotten.
In a morning news conference in London, the journalist's
father, Graham Johnston, read an appeal to those holding him.
"You have families. Please think about what this is doing to
my family," he said.
He also told his son not to worry about his family and to
maintain hope.
"Chin up, my son," he said.
Later, the BBC, Sky and Al-Jazeera English cut into their
regular programming in the afternoon for a joint broadcast focusing
on Johnston.
The 25-minute commercial-free live broadcast was anchored by
Jeremy Bowen, the BBC's Middle East editor, from the main square in
the West Bank city of Ramallah. A poster reading "Free Alan" could
be seen in the background.
The three stations, as well as CNN, contributed segments on
Johnson's work from Gaza, the ongoing dangers that journalists face
in the chaotic territory and the protests demanding he be freed.
They showed Johnston's empty desk in his BBC office and conducted
interviews with Gaza journalists and foreign correspondents about
their concerns and thoughts about their captive colleague.
"Alan is a good and honest reporter who for three years has
been doing some brilliant work from Gaza," Bowen said.
In addition to the broadcast, all four stations ran stories
highlighting Johnston's situation.
In New York, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said
Thursday he was "deeply concerned" that Johnston was still being
held captive and pledged to do whatever he could to secure his
release.
"I sincerely hope that those who are responsible for this
abduction should release him unconditionally and immediately," he
told reporters at U.N. headquarters.
More than a dozen foreign journalists and aid workers have
been abducted by gunmen in Gaza in the past 18 months, often in a
bid by Palestinian militants to get money or jobs. Most have been
released unharmed within hours or days. The one exception was the
abduction of two Fox News employees in August. They were held for
two weeks before they were freed, unharmed.
In Gaza, about 200 Palestinian journalists held a rally
Thursday, hoisting posters reading, "Free Alan." A smaller protest
was held in Ramallah.
"We are disappointed by presidential and governmental
foot-dragging on the release of our kidnapped colleague," said
Sakher Abu-Owan, a Palestinian journalist. "Our concern over Alan's
safety is growing every day."
Thompson, the BBC director, said there have been no contacts
with Johnston's captors, and no demands from them.
"It is vital for all journalists to be able to report freely
and without fear of harassment and intimidation," he said.
"I appeal to all those who may have influence with the
kidnappers to use their best endeavors to secure Alan's release,
safely and speedily, and to ensure his return to his family and
friends as quickly as possible," he said.
Ramzi Shaheen, a spokesman for Palestinian police in Gaza,
said efforts were continuing for Johnston's release.