The president’s office filed a report against talk show host Mahmoud Saad and psychiatrist Manal Omar for insulting President Mohamed Morsy.
On 23 November, Omar came on Saad’s show to give a psychological analysis of Morsy following the announcement of the 22 November Constitutional Declaration. She described Morsy as a psychopath and called on him to resign.
In a press conference on Monday, presidential spokesperson Yasser Ali said this was a case of defamation, and the presidency has the right to sue anyone who is violating the law.
Ali added that he had noted 130 pieces of false news published in local media over the past 10 days.
Asked about the newspaper strike planned for Tuesday, Ali said that the president’s office hopes it doesn’t take place, but, “If it’s a form of expression, then we will welcome it.” Freedom of expression in Egypt has become limitless, he added.
The president’s office does not intervene in the work of the media, Ali said. “We respect all Egyptian media professionals and their roles as the conscience of the nation.”
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
