The new Muslim Brotherhood administration of the state-owned newspaper Al-Ahram has allegedly sent the editor-in-chief of their English-language website Ahram Online into early retirement.
Prominent journalist Hani Shukrallah said on Friday that he had recently been informed of the decision only a few days ago.
“In 2005 State Security had me chucked out as chief editor of Al-Ahram Weekly; and on 1 January 2013, the new management, under the new MB [Muslim Brotherhood] administration, decided to 'retire' me as chief editor of Ahram Online, three years too early,” Shukrallah wrote in a Facebook post.
Shukrallah is a former member of the Social Democratic party, former editor-in-chief of Ahram Weekly, former editorial board member of the privately-owned Al-Shorouk newspaper and the executive director of the Heikal Foundation for Arab Journalism.
He served as Ahram Weekly's editor-in chief for nearly 14 years, from 1991 to 2005.
“Like the last time, I'm supposed to stay on in the Ahram Organisation in some capacity and under new terms, of which I'm yet to be informed,” Shukrallah said.
“In any event, and just like last time, no regrets, and no bitterness. I've made my choices and am happy to live with the results,” he added.
No reasons have been given for the decision. Shurkallah did not respond to Egypt Independent's request for a comment.
Since President Mohamed Morsy came to power in June 2012, several Muslim Brotherhood sympathizers have been appointed to top positions in state-owned media outlets.
Several complaints had been filed with the prosecutor general against media figures critical of the ruling Islamist regime, which has raised concerns about freedom of expression under Morsy’s rule.
