Strike Shuts 25 Egyptian Newspapers; Law at Issue

As reported by the Associated Press, twenty-five Egyptian newspapers went on strike on Sunday to protest Mubarak’s and the legislature’s support to renew a law that fines and imprisons journalists on counts of defamation. This law will punish journalists who publish articles that cite “the finances of public figures, criticism of public institutions, and ‘offending’ Egypt’s leadership,” the AP reported. In addition to going on strike, 200 Egyptian journalists convened in front of the parliament building to draw attention to the issue of renewing this law.

Expressing his concern in front of the parliament building, Sahar Ramadan was quoted in the article stating that ‘[the law] will shut mouths and break pens…Criminals will remain on the streets, while journalists go to jail.’

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