Reports of the suspected killing of an abducted BBC journalist in Gaza strip have once again brought out the issue of journalists becoming targets of terrorists and others to settle scores with an opposing party.

This incident is a blow to the entire democratic, independent press. It is a grave crime against the country, against all of us. BBC and the world apparently have lost a great and courageous journalist. The killing of Alan Johnston (if so) is horrifying and shocking, but not unexpected.

Journalists around the world, especially war occupied regions, are living dangerously. Proof to this are the ever increasing number of slain journalists in the recent past. The war on terrorism is turning out to be an extremely demanding assignment for local as well as international journalists.

Journalists are frequently being targeted not only by terrorists and suicide bombers, but every so often they have to face the wrath of the autocratic leaders, like Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and many more autocrats ruling worldwide nations.

As some academics assure that terrorism is a type of language, a violent language necessary to the existence of terrorism, and journalists are the perfect tool for its diffusion. Terrorist groups find it increasingly a good strategy that has been generally effective, since all sides in a conflict generally see an advantage in using the international press to air their ideology to the world.

Soldiers and civilians are always targeted but now we can see reporters, too and this is going to give terrorist groups like al-Qaeda yet another opportunity to boast of its intentions to kidnap foreign journalists, like Alan Johnston.

At this point it becomes very important to address the ‘war on terror’ and how it has turned into a death bed for journalists in the conflict zones. What happened to Alan while trying to cover the situations in violent and a lawless territory, this question becomes even more compelling that what is going to happen to journalists covering Iraq, Afghanistan and similar conflict zones?

UN once again proved spineless

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon while adding his voice to the calls for the release correspondent Alan Johnston could only sympathize with Mr. Alan Johnston’s family without putting any substantial efforts.

Mr. Ban said: “I sincerely hope that those who are responsible for this abduction should release him unconditionally and immediately. I will do whatever I can in my capacity as secretary-general but my sympathy is with the family of Mr. Alan Johnston.”

Does the U.N. need to investigate what happened? Is there any answer to the question which here poses a new challenge to democratic, independent press?

Time Line of Alan Johnston’s abduction