Egypt has started a suppression cycle on the media. An Egyptian court has punished three reporters of TV channel Al-Jazira with three years imprisonment. All these were punished for working without press license and telecasting news harmful for Egypt by the court of Judge Haroon Fareed. Reporters having been punished in second hearing of the case are Mohd. Fahmi, Bahar Mohammed and Peter Grest. Mohd. Fahmi is presently a Canadian citizen quitting Egyptian citizenship, Bahar Mohammed belongs to Egypt and Peter Grest is an Australian citizen repatriated to Australia. Earlier all the three had been imprisoned for seven to ten years but now it has been reduced to three years. Judge Haroon Fareed said that they are neither members of Press Syndicate nor a telecaster syndicate. They were working without a license. The trio have refuted the charges framed against them. US has urged the Egyptian Government to stop this suppression and expressed its deep concern and despair. External Affairs spokesperson John Kerry stated that US is deeply concerned and despaired by the judgement of the Egyptian court regarding the three reporters of Al Jazira. He said that we urge the Egyptian Government to take all possible steps to revise this judgement. He said that the judgement weakens the liberty to expression essential for stability and progress.
On the other hand, the Egyptian President Abdel Fateh Al Sisi has approved the controversial anti-terrorist law. Now no reporter or media will be able to report against the government stated release regarding the terrorist attacks. The reporter violating this law may be booked under the anti-terrorist law. Provisions have been made to save army and policemen from the legal fallout of their action. The new law has been implemented by publishing it in the gazette. According to this law, broadcasting of false information against the official statement may lead to two years’ imprisonment, besides fine of 2 to 5 lac Egyptian pound may be imposed. Media has strongly opposed it. Special courts have also been established. Legal provisions to save their judges, police and army personnel from strictness during judgements or while on duty have also been included in this law. Moreover, provision has been made for death sentence for forming terrorist group or joining such group. We oppose the steps of Egyptian Government to suppress the reporters and condemn the efforts to ban the freedom of expression of speech.
ANIL NARENDRA
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