MEAA outraged at Cairo court's Al Jazeera verdict
The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA), the union and industry advocate for Australia’s journalists, is appalled that once again an Egyptian court has found our colleagues Peter Greste, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed guilty of charges that have no basis.
Yesterday, the three were sentenced to three years imprisonment on charges of colluding with the banned Muslim Brotherhood, producing news reports that contained “false news” and working as journalists without being “registered”. Baher Mohammed received an additional six months imprisonment and a fine.
Over the course of two trials now, not a shred of evidence has ever been produced that suggests the three Al Jazeera English journalists had done anything other than produce reputable and responsible journalism. The travesty of their initial trial has been matched by an outrageous retrial that has again failed to comprehend the role of journalists in society, how they do they work, and how they must operate independently.
There is the very serious prospect that, if these convictions are allowed to stand, the ability of the journalists to be able to travel and to work elsewhere is seriously compromised – an outrageous limitation on their rights given that the charges against them have never been substantiated.
MEAA remains concerned that journalists in Egypt continue to be arrested, harassed and intimidated for simply doing their jobs. While journalists continue to be attacked for their journalism, there can be no press freedom in Egypt.
MEAA, together with freedom of expression and human rights supporters around the world, will continue to campaign for our colleagues.
For more information contact: Mike Dobbie 0401 730 195
MEAA outraged at Cairo court's Al Jazeera verdict
The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA), the union and industry advocate for Australia’s journalists, is appalled that once again an Egyptian court has found our colleagues Peter Greste, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed guilty of charges that have no basis.
Last update: October 22, 2015
