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As the only Western reporter living and working in Gaza, BBC reporter Alan Johnston was days away from wrapping up his three-year assignment. But on March 12, 2007, his life was irrevocably changed when he was snatched at gunpoint and held captive for 114 days.

Journalist Alan Johnston had already filed his last report for the BBC when he was kidnapped at gunpoint on the streets of Gaza City.

Johnston shared the story of his 114-day captivity with a sold-out crowd in Toronto, April 30 in celebration of World Press Freedom Day. Canada’s International Development Research Centre and the Canadian Media Guild joined with Canadian Journalists for Free Expression to organize the event to shed light on the dangers journalists face worldwide in reporting the news.

For three years, Johnston was the only foreign correspondent living in Gaza. During that time he covered the death of Yasser Arafat, Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza, and the rise of the Hamas movement, and had distinct insight into the conditions faced by ordinary Palestinians. He worked amidst a backdrop of power cuts periodic military incursions, and chronic poverty.

Days before the end of his tour in Gaza City, Johnston was taken by the Army of Islam, a militant group that bartered kidnapped foreigners against Muslim prisoners held in the West.

“I always knew kidnapping was a possibility. I only had 16 days left when my turn came,” said Johnston. “I was driving to my apartment…suddenly, a white sedan was pushing me off the side of the road, a young gunman in front of me in an instant and another guy with a Kalishnikoff…In a second, I was bundled into the back of that sedan and we were off racing through the streets.”

Johnston found solace in a radio his captors provided. He listened to his BBC colleagues report on his kidnapping, accounts and speculation on his death, and his father speaking out in disbelief that his only son had been killed. He also heard as the world – including ordinary Palestinians – rallied for his release. More than 200 000 people signed an online petition demanding his freedom.

Increased international pressure led to Johnston’s release in early July 2007 after an intervention by Hamas, recently elected in the Palestinian Authority’s general election. After 114 days, Johnston was free.

“Press freedom is necessary for democracies to flourish,” said IDRC Chairman Barbara McDougall in her opening remarks at the event. “Likewise, the freedom to conduct and publish research, without fear of reprisal, speaks volumes about the state of democracy and human rights in a country.”

Johnston understands only too well the frailty of press freedoms in repressive regimes.

“Too many people kill journalists and are simply never held to account in those more troubled parts of the world,” said Johnston. “There’s way too much impunity, and we as journalists do have some capacity through our various media organizations to try and make sure that the various authorities such as they are work to bring to justice people that commit crimes against our colleagues. World Press Freedom Day counts.”

2008-05

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