Since Tuesday, 25 January 2011, Egypt has witnessed widespread protests against poverty and corruption, and calls for democratic changes. Authorities suspended internet and mobile phone service, according to news reports and mobile operators, in an attempt to block media coverage and communications between protesters. Security forces on Friday continued violent physical attacks on journalists.
"We are deeply disturbed by the government's efforts to impose a media blackout in Egypt," said Mohamed Abdel Dayem, CPJ's Middle East and North Africa program coordinator. "Security forces are also becoming increasingly violent against both demonstrators and journalists. The government in Cairo seems to have learned nothing from the Tunisian experience that unfolded just two short weeks ago."
CPJ is tracking how the Egyptian government is shutting down internet access and SMS services. Read CPJ internet advocacy coordinator Danny O'Brien's piece on the situation.
"There is no greater disruption for the work of journalists than the disruption of mobile phone services and text messages; this in itself constitutes an attack on journalists and their freedom to cover the events that are shaking Egypt now," Al-Jazeera correspondent Samir Ali said on-air.
Below is a list of attacks in which security forces have targeted journalists:
Gamal Fahmy, a senior member of the Egyptian Journalists' Syndicate, told CPJ that photographers and cameramen have been clearly targeted since demonstrations started on Tuesday. "There is a clear trend of attacking photographers and cameramen, confiscating their equipment or erasing their memory cards and the goal is clear: to interfere with images of the demonstrations," Fahmy said.
This alert will be updated as developments break. Check the CPJ website to see the most recent news.
Article published courtesy of CPJ