23/1/2017 Egyptian Journalists Call for Press Freedom

MIDDLE EAST

Egyptian Journalists Call for Press Freedom

Last Updated: October 07, 2015 4:00 PM Heather Murdock

CAIRO — After Egypt freed imprisoned al-Jazeera journalists and others late
last month, President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi said his country now enjoys full
press freedom.

“I don’t want to exaggerate,” he said, “but we have unprecedented freedom

of expression in Egypt. No one in Egypt can bar anyone working in the
media.”

But activists say the speech was made simply to appease Western critics, and
has little relation to reality. Some journalists remain imprisoned, according
to the Egyptian Journalist Syndicate, and the president’s decision to release
some jailed reporters doesn’t go far enough to prevent further erosion of
freedom of expression in Egypt.

“Protecting journalists doing their work instead of arresting them or

attacking them — these would be real positive steps,” said Khaled Elbalshy,
a senior member of the Journalist Syndicate. “Not just make a show of
reform by releasing famous journalists.”

Dozens of reporters are in jail, according to Elbalshy and several news

sources are either banned, or heavily censored. Among those in prison now
is Mahmoud Abou Zeid, also known as "Shawkan," a photographer who has
been locked up for more than two years.

Shawkan was arrested in August, 2013, but, his trial date was finally set just
last month for December. While he waits during the prolonged pre-trial
detainment, his family says his health is rapidly deteriorating.

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“His face is paler every time we visit. His sight is failing, and he can’t sleep
from depression and sadness,” said Shawkan’s brother, Mohamed Abou Zeid
in his Cairo home. “These and many other factors have led to his failing
physical and psychological health.”

Shawkan worked for several media houses as a freelancer in Egypt, including

Time Magazine and Demotix. He was arrested in a sweep of activists and
journalists at the Rabaa protest in support of ousted Muslim Brotherhood
President Mohamed Morsi.

Morsi is now in prison, sentenced to death and awaiting appeal. The protests
against his ouster lasted more than a month and ended when police and
army forces stormed the sit-in camp. Hundreds of protesters were killed.
The Muslim Brotherhood has since been banned and deemed a terrorist
organization.

Shawkan and his family claim no political affiliations, but among some
Egyptians, anti-Muslim Brotherhood sentiment is so high that even
reporting on the now-banned group is considered suspect.

“For those journalists, God knows if they sold their conscience or made a
deal with the Muslim Brotherhood,” said Mohamed Abdulkhaleq, a Cairo
barber. “And, as you know very well, the Brotherhood can brainwash
people.”

Most activists and journalists detained at that time have since been released,
including the al-Jazeera journalists and 100 others in late September.

When he heard about the release, Mohamed Abou Zeid said he was thrilled,
sure that his brother would be on the list.

“When I didn’t see Shawkan’s name among them I was so saddened,” he

said. “Frankly, I couldn’t believe it.”

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