Egypt Has Now Confirmed It’s Illegal to be a Journalist
An Egyptian judge sentences three Al Jazeera journalists Peter Greste, Mohammad Fahmy and Baher Mohammed to 7 years for aiding the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood and sentenced on charges of terrorism. There has been international criticism over the handling of the journalists in Egypt with the campaign: #FreeAJStaff, which amplified the call for press freedom.
The Al Jazeera network released a statement stating their outrage of the detention of their colleagues: “There is no justification whatsoever for the detention of our three colleagues for even one minute … to have sentenced them defies logic, sense, and any semblance of justice,” said Al Jazeera English managing director Al Anstey.The detained have been kept behind bars for simply doing their jobs as journalists.
The Egyptian press freedom is at serious risk; today’s decision has been described by Amnesty International as ‘a dark day for press freedom’. The conditions for journalists in Egypt have become increasingly dangerous with a rising number jailed for challenging the official narrative of the state. Philip Luther, Amnesty International Director for Middle East & North Africa, described events: “The verdict provides further evidence that Egyptian authorities will stop at nothing in the ruthless campaign to crush anyone who challenges the official narrative, regardless of how questionable the evidence against them is.”
“‘Journalism is not a crime’ and it is a responsibility to not silence journalists in these turbulent times.”
The defence has always maintained that the accused journalists are innocent, and were shocked by the verdict due to the lack of evidence. The verdicts were decided upon with evidence such as a pop video by Australian pop artist Gotye, a BBC podcast and a news report that was made when none of the convicted defences was in Egypt.
The Egyptian authorities have been questioned over the legality of the trial process, politicians internationally have reacted with frustration, and William Hague has summoned the Egyptian diplomat over the sentencing. David Cameron said in a statement he was “completely appalled” by the Egyptian court’s decision. The Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has asked for the release of Peter Greste and responded to the court’s decision as “We are deeply dismayed by the fact that a sentence has been imposed and we are appalled by the severity of it”.
There are currently 167 journalists imprisoned worldwide, and 28 killed this year for doing their job according to Reporters without Borders. As journalists, we need to send a powerful message across the globe that ‘Journalism is not a crime’ and it is a responsibility to not silence journalists in these turbulent times.