Kidnaps worry media watchdog

ISTANBUL – The media watchdog International Press Institute yesterday voiced ‘grave concern’ over BBC reporter Alan Johnston, kidnapped in Gaza in March, and called for his immediate release.

“The IPI voices its grave concern for Alan Johnston… and appeals for him to be released now – safe and unharmed.The IPI calls on the Palestinian Authority to work to that end,” the organisation said in a statement which was adopted at its annual assembly in Istanbul.The IPI also “condemns all those who kidnap journalists and calls on them to respect the media’s independence and to release their captives immediately.”Kidnappings discourage journalists from reporting, and thus limit the public’s access to information.The result is often a vacuum where rumour and conjecture dominate – rather than accurate and fair news reporting,” the statement said.The BBC correspondent in Gaza since 2004, Johnston, 44, was snatched by a group of armed men on March 12.Palestinian authorities have spoken of contact with his kidnappers and say they know his whereabouts, but have decided against carrying out a rescue operation so as not to risk his safety.A Palestinian extremist group on Wednesday claimed to be holding the newsman and demanded the release of a radical Muslim cleric in British custody.Although Western journalists have been kidnapped in Gaza before, Johnston has been held by far for the longest time.Nampa-AFPand appeals for him to be released now – safe and unharmed.The IPI calls on the Palestinian Authority to work to that end,” the organisation said in a statement which was adopted at its annual assembly in Istanbul.The IPI also “condemns all those who kidnap journalists and calls on them to respect the media’s independence and to release their captives immediately.”Kidnappings discourage journalists from reporting, and thus limit the public’s access to information.The result is often a vacuum where rumour and conjecture dominate – rather than accurate and fair news reporting,” the statement said.The BBC correspondent in Gaza since 2004, Johnston, 44, was snatched by a group of armed men on March 12.Palestinian authorities have spoken of contact with his kidnappers and say they know his whereabouts, but have decided against carrying out a rescue operation so as not to risk his safety.A Palestinian extremist group on Wednesday claimed to be holding the newsman and demanded the release of a radical Muslim cleric in British custody.Although Western journalists have been kidnapped in Gaza before, Johnston has been held by far for the longest time.Nampa-AFP