Release of Alan Johnston hailed by journalists, people
There were a lot of phone calls among journalists as well as e-mails when Alan Johnston was released by his captors .
Johnston had been in captivity for almost four months and journalists and other media as well as non media organisations have been pressing for his release.
“This is good news. When I saw him on the BBC channel I could see that he is still strong and ready to go on with life,” said Innocent as Malawian correspondent.
He said while many journalists know that the profession is risky, especially in war torn areas, Journalists like Johnston still manage to work when the going gets tougher.
“He has made us proud. He has shown the world that a journalist is worth the name.His reports were neutral. That is the reason why he fell in trouble,” said Sambiri.
One journalist who wanted not to be named paid tribute to the Hamas for helping the release.
“Look at many women who still go to Iraq to report for many people to have first hand information about what is happening there, is that not wonderful especially in times like these when people are fighting for gender equality,” he commented.
Others , who are not journalists but have been following events welcomed the release.
“Imagine it was your only child who was imprisoned and has been released, is that not wonderful? Said one woman.
Others ,while welcoming the release and thanking Hamas ,advised the organisation to accept the existence of Israel for it to be more credible.