CAIRO: The trial of Al-Balagh Al-Gadid newspaper was adjourned to Oct. 26 due to clashes that erupted between the plaintiff's defense committee and journalists present at the Sayeda Zeinab Misdemeanor Court. Three of the weekly tabloid's journalists were referred to court by Prosecutor General Abdel Meguid Mahmoud for alleged libel and defamation after they reported that three Egyptian actors were caught in a homosexual prostitution network at a Cairo hotel. Al-Balagh Al-Gadid, was banned after it claimed that the actors bribed police officers and hotel management to hush up the incident. The actors denied the claim and filed lawsuits against the paper's editors and one of its reporters. According to local news reports, the actor's defense committee asked for LE 10 million in compensation for the harm to which his clients were subjected, which led the journalists present in court to clash with them and had the judge adjourn the hearing. On the other hand, the Journalists' Syndicate lawyer said that the only way this case will be resolved is for both parties to reconcile and settle the case. Meanwhile, human rights activists continue to condemn the Higher Press Council's decision to ban the newspaper for publishing this story, which involved high profile Egyptian actors and so was in the public interest. The Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR) objected to this decision since it was enforced while the investigations on the issue were still ongoing. "The decision is considered a clear violation of freedom of opinion and expression and the right to exchange information, said EOHR in a statement. While the organization recognizes the detrimental effects of rumors and false news and condemns all forms of defamation, it maintains that this decision is unconstitutional. According to Article 48 of the Egyptian constitution, "Freedom of the press, printing, publication and mass media shall be guaranteed. Censorship on newspapers is forbidden as well as notifying, suspending or cancelling them by administrative methods. Galal Dweidar, secretary-general of the Higher Press Council, said that their decision was not triggered by this "scandal. "There are many complaints about this newspaper, it has been accused of publishing incorrect information, libel and defamation . it's not only about this case but there are around 10 to 12 lawsuits against this newspaper, he said. According to Dweidar, Al-Balagh is considered a foreign newspaper because it carries an off-shore license, which makes it bound by the foreign publications law. The decision to ban it came after a committee meeting attended by representatives from a number of parties, including the Ministry of Information.
