CAIRO: Egyptian reporters and journalists of the ‘No military censorship in journalism' Assembly staged a protest outside the headquarters of Egyptian Press Syndicate on Wednesday October 5 against the military censorship imposed on journalism. Certain newspapers were confiscated including Rose Al-Youssef, Al-Fagr, and Sawt el-Oma. Reporters called for a public strike on November 1 as objection to the violation of freedom of opinion and media. The demonstrators chanted "Military, Military, why? Is this a counter-revolution?" "Strikes are legitimate against censorship, suppression and hunger," and "Freedom, freedom to Egyptian journalism." The demonstrators also lifted banners on which they wrote, "No Military censorship in newspapers," "The military censors and bans publishing stories about Israeli spy who they refuse to arrest!” and “Why, why the suppression? Is Hosni Mubarak coming back?" The military censor tried to pressure and censor Al-Haqiqa T.V. program, presented by anchorman and writer Wael el-Ibrashy and Akher Kalam and TV program Final Speeches, produced by the writer Yousri Fouda. Dream and OTV channels received notification of shutting down because they have no work permits, according to the statement issued by the Assembly. Journalists feel the upcoming danger and setback against freedom of speech as the military council takes certain procedures against these newspapers. The Assembly's statement condemned the appointment of military censorship and confiscation of Egyptian newspapers or changing the respected ideologies of Egyptian media. Censorship deprives Egyptian readers from their right to certain information and following up on incidents in their own country.
