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BBC users urge reporter's release BBC users urge reporter's release
(about 4 hours later)
BBC News website users have written in their hundreds in support of an online petition to demand the release of BBC Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston. BBC News website users have written in their thousands in support of an online petition to demand the release of BBC Gaza correspondent Alan 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.
The public petition was started on the day a newspaper advert was published urging his release backed by hundreds of colleagues and media personalities.The public petition was started on the day a newspaper advert was published urging his release backed by hundreds of colleagues and media personalities.
Palestinian journalists also went on strike, boycotting government business.Palestinian journalists also went on strike, boycotting government business.
They want the government to do more to secure the release of Mr Johnston, believed to be the only western journalist still working full-time in the Gaza Strip since a wave of kidnappings last year.They want the government to do more to secure the release of Mr Johnston, believed to be the only western journalist still working full-time in the Gaza Strip since a wave of kidnappings last year.
Reassuring voiceReassuring voice
At the time of writing, more than 2,000 people have responded to the online appeal, with new names being added every few minutes. At the time of writing, more than 3,500 people have responded to the online appeal, with new names being added every few minutes.
Nothing good will come from the continued detention of Alan. Please release him CY Lim, Singapore The appeal says: "We, the undersigned, demand the immediate release of BBC Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston.Nothing good will come from the continued detention of Alan. Please release him CY Lim, Singapore The appeal says: "We, the undersigned, demand the immediate release of BBC Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston.
"We ask again that everyone with influence on this situation increase their efforts, to ensure that Alan is freed quickly and unharmed.""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.