Al Jazeera proposed a "Global Day of Action" on behalf of its journalists currently facing charges in Egypt.
The news organization is asking that everyone participate in the day of action on Thursday, February 27, to show support for journalists by continuing the fight 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":
"The charges against our staff are baseless, unacceptable, and wholly unjustified. 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."
Al Jazeera's Peter Greste, Mohamed Fadel Fahmy and Baher Mohamed are among the 20 defendants charged with "airing false news" and collaborating with a terrorist organization. The trial for the detained journalists began on February 20 but has been adjourned until March 5 after a 40-minute hearing Thursday. The Associated Press reported that Fahmy and Greste told the court Thursday that their prison conditions have been "psychologically unbearable," claiming that they are not given books or newspapers and are given just one hour for exercise each day.
The Human Rights Watch denounced the ongoing trial in Egypt Thursday morning, adding to the list of organizations speaking out against the journalists' imprisonment. Al Jazeera, the United Nations and correspondents from news outlets worldwide including CNN, ABC News and NBC have all expressed concern and called for the release of the reporters since their arrest in December.
(h/t: TV Newser)
Related
Before You Go
