According to Reporters Without Borders, violations against journalists and media professionals in the two months following the ouster of President Mohamed Morsy were serious. Five journalists were killed and 80 others arbitrarily arrested, seven of which are still in detention. In addition, 40 media professionals were assaulted by police or protesting supporters and opponents of Morsy.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the organization said those violations are a result of severe political polarization that is endangering the lives of journalists and media professionals in Egypt.
The statement denounced the negative attitude of the new government towards these incidents, and asked it to take immediate measures to protect journalists and the freedom of opinion and expression.
The statement condemned the violent climate and political tension in which local and foreign journalists are compelled to work while attempting to cover events in Egypt in order to relay the true image of what is happening on the ground.
“It is unacceptable that journalists are subject to continued targeting, whereas they should be granted the right conditions to perform their duties without fear, in complete independence and away from any political context,” the statement said.
It pointed out that in a matter of months the Egyptian authorities censored ten media channels and raided six offices.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
