Maverick Indonesia

Vigil for BBC Reporter, Alan Johnston

Yesterday evening, The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) held a vigil for Alan Johsnton, their correspondence who was abducted in the Gaza Strip. People lighted candles to express their support to Alan and also to mark World Press Freedom Day.

Alan Johnston, who has worked with the BBC since 1991, was kidnapped in Gaza City on March 12. Until today, nobody knows his status as there has been no public statement from his captors. No one can even be sure that the detained journalist is still alive.

People from all over the world have signed a petition calling for his release. Lucy Williamson, the BBC representative, who organized the vigil, got so emotional when speaking about Johsnton, while the Chairman of Aliansi Jurnalis Independen (AJI) Heru Hendratmoko expressed his sympathy to Johsnton and his family. He said that a journalist only wants to report freely of what’s happening in each corner of the world. Thus, it’s such a shame if in doing the task, a journalist has to risk his/her life. It is just not right.

Journalist isn’t a threat to anyone.

Even though I don’t know Johnston personally, I have a high respect on him. Not everyone has the courage to venture into Gaza Strip considering the risk, but Johston was so dedicated in doing his job and fight those challenges – the right to report freely without fear or intimidation a.k.a press freedom.
Let’s pray for Alan Johston. Wherever he is… May his dedication to his profession keeps him strong and alive. Our heart goes for Johnston and his family.