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Press Releases
±«Óãtv to rally at UN for abducted news correspondent
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±«Óãtv News Correspondent Alan Johnston still missing after seven weeks
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The ±«Óãtv's Gaza Correspondent, Alan Johnston, was abducted at gunpoint in
Gaza City on 12 March. Neither the ±«Óãtv, nor his family, have had any
contact from him since. He has now been missing for 51 days.
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On
Thursday 3 May - also World Press Freedom Day - the ±«Óãtv will rally at
the United Nations and invite journalists around the globe to call for Alan Johnston's release.
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The rally will be led by the ±«Óãtv's World Editor Jon Williams. It starts
at 2pm ET (United States Eastern Time) - 7pm UK time - at the Ralph Bunche Park opposite the UN Plaza in New York.
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On the same day Alan's colleagues in the ±«Óãtv's 41 bureaux - in 38
different countries - will also demand his immediate and safe return.
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Alan spent three years living and working in Gaza - the only western
journalist to do so - and was within two weeks of completing his
assignment there.
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He is now the longest-held journalist in Gaza,
previous journalists have been released after a number of days or weeks.
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The ±«Óãtv's Director-General Mark Thompson says: "Alan
Johnston is a remarkable, courageous journalist who stayed in Gaza
because he believes the story of Gaza needs to be told.
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"He has done so
with humanity, but also objectivity - one of an extraordinary group of
people who remain in the world's trouble spots when everyone else is
getting out, and who sadly face increasing danger right across the world.
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"Seven weeks after he was abducted, we want Alan home, safe and well."
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Similar rallies have taken place in London, Gaza, Beirut and elsewhere.
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On Monday (30 April) Alan's image was projected on to the ±«Óãtv's
Television Centre in London and 50 balloons released to mark the 50th
night since his abduction.
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More than 65,000 people from around the globe
have signed an online petition to call for his release.
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Alan Johnston's family issued this statement: "This is a desperately
worrying time for us. We make a heartfelt appeal to anybody who may have
knowledge of Alan's situation and wellbeing to contact the authorities in
Gaza.
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"Our son has lived and worked amongst the people of Gaza for the
last three years to bring their story to the outside world - and we ask every
one of them to help end this ordeal."
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±«Óãtv News Publicity
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