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Press Releases
Alan Johnston: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ press conference tomorrow
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The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ is to hold a press conference tomorrow (Thursday) in London to highlight the plight of Alan Johnston, its Gaza correspondent who was abducted on 12 March.
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Alan's parents, Graham and Margaret Johnston, and Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Director of News, Helen Boaden will host the press conference as part of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's day of action for Alan.
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Alan is the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's highly experienced and respected correspondent and one of only a few western journalists who have been permanently based in Gaza. He has spent three years living and working in the area.
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It is now more than a month since his disappearance in Gaza and his family and colleagues at the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ are increasingly concerned for his well being.
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Alan's parents now want to appeal to the hostage takers for his immediate release.
They will do so at a press conference at 11am.
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They will appear alongside Helen Boaden, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Director of News. The conference will be chaired by Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ news presenter George Alagiah.
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Details of the day of action were released earlier today.
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Mark Thompson, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Director-General, will cut short his holiday to travel to the region to appeal for Alan's release.
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For the first time, the four major international news broadcasters will come together to produce a special programme.
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The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's two TV news channels - Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World and Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ News 24 - together with Al Jazeera and Sky News will simulcast the programme, and there will also be contributions from CNN.
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The programme will look back at events in the month since Alan's disappearance and will include background packages on day-to-day life in Gaza as well as the increasing threats facing journalists working in danger zones around the world.
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Additionally, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ has secured large poster sites featuring calls for Alan's release.
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The posters will be sited at three central London locations (Westminster Bridge Road; Golden Square, Lambeth Palace Road; and Westminster Bridge Roundabout) and in George Square, Glasgow and Haymarket, Edinburgh.
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And News 24 will carry a message on its news ticker throughout the day marking the one month anniversary of Alan's disappearance.
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The campaigning organisation Reporters Without Borders will separately unveil a banner of Alan Johnston on the plinth of Nelson's column in Trafalgar Square, London at 12.30pm.
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KR/Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ News Publicity
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