Freedom of speech tops coverage of Egypt in the foreign press
Freedom of speech in Egypt once again topped coverage in the foreign press this morning, particularly as Reporters Without Borders issued a warning against increasing hostility towards the media in countries including Egypt. “Hostility towards the media from political leaders is no longer limited to authoritarian countries such as Turkey and Egypt, where ‘media-phobia’ is now so pronounced that journalists are routinely accused of terrorism and all those who don’t offer loyalty are arbitrarily imprisoned.” The statement was covered by the Washington Post.
President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s comments last week that “fake news” was one of the biggest threats facing the country was heavily criticized in an analysis piece by Israel’s Haaretz. It calls out the Press and Media Act, saying it would further harm civil rights. Also on human rights, Amnesty International put out a statement on Sunday criticizing the mass trial of 739 people accused of taking part in the 2013 Rabaa violence.