BBC reporter Alan Johnston speaks to the media during a press conference at the British consulate in Jerusalem, 04 Jul 2007

BBC journalist Alan Johnston, released Wednesday by Palestinian kidnappers in the Gaza Strip, has received an award for human rights reporting from Amnesty International.

Amnesty International's director for Britain, Kate Allen, said the judges of the annual media awards were determined not to let Johnston's kidnapping affect their judgment. She said they were impressed by his insight and commitment to telling stories of everyday life in Gaza.

The award was one of nine that Amnesty gave out during a ceremony in London Wednesday just hours after Johnston's release. His father accepted the award for him, saying, "It's been quite a day."

Johnston was the only Western reporter based in Gaza when he was abducted in March. After his release, he compared his four months in captivity to being buried alive."

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.