A number of journalists have formed a front to denounce what they believe is newspapers’ tendency to practice self-censorship and abstain from critcizing the government under the pretext of supporting its fight against terrorism.
The Front for Defending Journalists and Freedoms facebook page has now attracted 32 members who are all journalists.
More than 600 journalists now have signed a petition condemning a meeting in October by fellow chief editors of state and privately-owned newspapers, held at al-Wafd Party’s newspaper, in which they decided to abstain from reporting on issues that “seek to undermine state institutions” and declared their support for the state in the face of terrorism.
Press freedom advocates believed the statement was a shift to self-censorship and a renunciation of the freedom of opinion.
Journalists Syndicate chief Diaa Rashwan told Al-Masry Al-Youm late Tuesday that he did not sign the statement resulting from that meeting, stressing that the syndicate had issued a statement one day before the controversial meeting in which it reiterated its support for free expression. He, however, defended what he called “newspapers' constitutional right to determine their editorial policies”.
Many press freedom proponents fear more restrictions on army and government criticisms are expected under president and former defense minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's rule.
A draft law by the Cabinet, sent for review by the State Council, requires prior permission from the military command before reporting on news related to the army.
