On March 12, the well-respected BBC correspondent in Gaza, Alan Johnston, was seized at gunpoint in Gaza City on his way home. Last week it was reported that Johnston had been killed, but this week Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stated that this was not true.
Even the worst stories, especially ones outside the US, only make it on to international news broadcasts for a day or two and then they disappear. Fortunately, in this digital age, there are many options for news. The Internet is a competing provider of information and it’s also a much broader platform for expression. So there is room and incentive for those closest to Johnston to work the Web to keep attention focused on the plight of the kidnapped journalist. The BBC and Reporters Without Borders (www.rsf.org) are using their well-established websites for this purpose and many smaller efforts, such as www.tameralmisshal.com and www.free-alan.com are lending support as well.
Through the BBC website (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6518873.stm) individuals are being encouraged to sign an online petition and use their personal blogs to demand the journalist’s release. The BBC has also posted a “button” that can be added to other websites to show unity with those calling for Johnston to be freed.
Two Palestinians in Gaza have launched www.free-alan.com to call for the release of the reporter and to enable others to place messages urging the kidnappers to free the journalist. Many messages in support of Johnston and his family are also posted at the site, plus the site links to other reports about Johnston. Tamer Almisshal, a producer who worked with Johnston for three years, is pictured at www.tameralmisshal with Johnston’s parents and sister. He has also posted an interview on Johnston’s kidnapping at his site.
Johnston’s family believes that the only chance of seeing their loved one alive is by mobilizing widespread support for the kidnapped journalist in order to pressure the Palestinian Authority to facilitate his release. If you haven’t already done so, take a moment to go online and bolster their effort.
