- EGYPT
- October 22, 2011
- 3 minutes read
MB Attorney Denounces SCAF Muzzling Media Freedom in Egypt
In an interview with IkhwanWeb, Jamal Tajuddin, Secretary General of the Freedoms Committee of the Egyptian Bar Association and leading member of the Muslim Brotherhood, denounced the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) for attacking and muzzling media freedom in Egypt.
Moreover, Egyptian Broadcaster Yosri Fouda, presenter of the TV programme "Akhir Kalam" (The Last Word) on the channel (ON TV) decided to suspend his program in protest against military censorship imposed on the media in all its forms and manifestations, the latest incident of which was preventing the broadcast of his programme yesterday after he announced his hosts were Alaa Aswani and Ibrahim Issa and that they were to discuss an interview of SCAF leaders with the broadcaster Mona Al-Shazly on the TV channel (Dream) regarding the Maspero incident.
Tajuddin emphasised that the revolution seeks and protects democracy and freedom, adding that: "We categorically reject the persecution of balanced and free opinion discussing the important issues of the homeland. No one is above criticism. Furthermore, we reject the use of Egyptian media to discredit the military, even though we do not support it in all its actions."
With reference to violations perpetrated against media freedoms, Tajuddin stressed that SCAF must listen to and discuss free opinion with an open mind, for the sake of a better future for the country. “It also needs to be aware that revolutionary Egypt dictates special obligations,” he added.
Meanwhile, Tajuddin called upon broadcasters to take into account the specially-sensitive circumstances of the current phase of Egypt’s history, and to commit to a disciplined performance of media work, with no retreat in the support for freedom and democracy.