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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
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| Day of action for Gaza reporter | Day of action for Gaza reporter |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| An international day of action is taking place to appeal for the release of BBC journalist Alan Johnston, who is thought to have been abducted in Gaza. | An international day of action is taking place to appeal for the release of BBC journalist Alan Johnston, who is thought to have been abducted in Gaza. |
| The BBC, al-Jazeera, CNN and Sky will simultaneously televise a special live programme about the journalist. | The BBC, al-Jazeera, CNN and Sky will simultaneously televise a special live programme about the journalist. |
| It is exactly one month since Mr Johnston was seized by masked gunmen. | It is exactly one month since Mr Johnston was seized by masked gunmen. |
| In the West Bank, BBC director general Mark Thompson made a direct appeal for his 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. |
| 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 Send a message of support class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6547899.stm">BBC chief's statement in full | |
| "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 Mark Thompson 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." | |
| The journalist's family are expected to address a news conference shortly. A poster campaign is being unveiled at prominent sites in London and Mr Johnston's native Scotland. | |
| Broadcasters unite | Broadcasters unite |
| A simulcast programme will go on air from the West Bank town of 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. | A simulcast programme will go on air from the West Bank town of 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. |
| DAY'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 | DAY'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 |
| 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. |
| "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." |
| Mr Johnston was taken hostage by masked gunmen as he returned to his apartment in Gaza City on 12 March. | Mr Johnston 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. |