MB Leadership Boycotts “Unprofessional” Al-Masry Al-Youm Newspaper

Mahmoud Hussein, Secretary General of the Muslim Brotherhood said in a statement: "We respect freedom of the media; however, we have decided to boycott "Al-Masry Al-Youm" [newspaper] until it is committed to objectivity and professionalism."

Hussein added that Al-Masry Al-Youm has been propagating false news and accusations against the Muslim Brotherhood, and has been deliberately distorting the image of the group without the least commitment to professional journalistic rules. On several occasions, the MB alerted the supervisors and editors at the newspaper to the need of commitment to objectivity and clarity instead of the publishing incorrect information. However, the administration of the newspaper declined to publish these clarifications and responses and continued to refuse to commit to facts without distortion. Therefore, the Executive Bureau of the Brotherhood decided to boycott the newspaper and its reporters and not to give any interviews till the paper is committed to objectivity and due professionalism.

The Bureau confirmed that the MB – throughout its history – has always respected freedom of the media, and has always appreciated publishing the various opinions and constructive criticism. The Brotherhood has never accepted the suppression of any opinion or viewpoint, but still refused to propagate incorrect news and falsifying and distorting the facts. The Brotherhood has always committed itself to opposing any abuse to any persons, bodies or entities, and is only asking the media to abide by the professional rules and ethics in reporting.