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Union calls for BBC man's release Union calls for BBC man's release
(about 2 hours later)
The UK's National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has strongly condemned the abduction of BBC reporter Alan Johnston in Gaza more than a month ago.The UK's National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has strongly condemned the abduction of BBC reporter Alan Johnston in Gaza more than a month ago.
Delegates voted unanimously to support the campaign to free him at their annual conference in Birmingham.Delegates voted unanimously to support the campaign to free him at their annual conference in Birmingham.
John Williams, editor of BBC World News said: "Alan stayed when everyone else left because he believed that the story of Gaza must be told." John Williams, editor of BBC World News, said: "Alan stayed when everyone else left because he believed that the story of Gaza must be told."
The BBC held a day of action on Thursday to highlight his plight.The BBC held a day of action on Thursday to highlight his plight.
'Calmness and courage''Calmness and courage'
Mr Johnston is presumed to have been abducted when he disappeared on 12 March after leaving his Gaza office.Mr Johnston is presumed to have been abducted when he disappeared on 12 March after leaving his Gaza office.
John Williams, Editor of BBC World News told a packed hall that as every day passed concern for the reporter's physical and mental wellbeing was growing.John Williams, Editor of BBC World News told a packed hall that as every day passed concern for the reporter's physical and mental wellbeing was growing.
But he paid tribute to his calmness and courage and said he was an example of the need to be able to report freely.But he paid tribute to his calmness and courage and said he was an example of the need to be able to report freely.
Mr Johnston was due to finish his posting in MarchMr Johnston was due to finish his posting in March
General Secretary Jeremy Dear read a message from the Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate (PJS) detailing solidarity marches and other demonstrations held in Gaza in an attempt to free the BBC correspondent.General Secretary Jeremy Dear read a message from the Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate (PJS) detailing solidarity marches and other demonstrations held in Gaza in an attempt to free the BBC correspondent.
An online petition calling for the release Mr Johnston gathered more than 30,000 signatures before it was closed on Friday.An online petition calling for the release Mr Johnston gathered more than 30,000 signatures before it was closed on Friday.
The 44-year-old 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.The 44-year-old 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.