Friday, February 21, 2014

Al Jazeera calling for a Global Day of Action next week, Thursday 27 February, because 'journalism is not a crime'.


Al Jazeera (DStv 406 / StarSat 401) is calling for a global day of action next week on Thursday 27 February in support of press freedom and the release of its three journalists - Mohamed Fahmy, Peter Greste and Baher Mohamed - jailed and remaining locked up in Egypt for doing their job.

Al Anstey, Al Jazeera English's managing director says the Qatar based 24-hour TV news channel is "deeply disappointed" that the three journalists have not been released and remain in jail.

The court case against the three journalists has been postponed to 5 March after they pleaded not guilty to all charges against them. 

Al Jazeera has received global support from all the major global TV news operations, demanding that the journalists be released.

"The charges against our staff are baseless, unacceptable, and wholly unjustified," says Al Anstey in a statement.

"What is going in in in Egypt right now is a trial of journalism itself, so it is critical that we remain resolute in calling for freedom of speech, for the right for people to know, and for the immediate release of all of Al Jazeera's journalists in detention in Egypt".

"We truly appreciate the solidarity from journalists and individuals right around the world. The pressure has continued to build since they were taken into custody. We must keep this up, so we ask everyone to contribute to the Global Day of Action on Thursday 27th February. Journalism is not a crime."