Report: ‘Sisification’ of the media in Egypt

Reporters Without Borders said Egypt was ranked 161 out of 180 in 2017 World Press Freedom Index making it one of the world’s worst countries to be a journalist.

According to the report Egypt has dropped two positions in the past year.

The report cited examples of Egyptian journalists such as Mohammed Abu-Zeid, known by his alias, Shawkan, who has been under arbitrary detention for three years.

Abu-Zeid was arrested for reporting on the security apparatus’ violent crackdown to break-up a sit-in organised by the Muslim Brotherhood, which the local authorities consider a terrorist organisation.

Another example is freelance journalist Ismail Al-Iskandarani who has been behind bars since his arrest in November 2015 despite a court order to release him issued in November 2016.

Under Gen. Sisi’s leadership, the authorities have waged a witch-hunt since 2013 against journalists suspected of supporting the Muslim Brotherhood, and have orchestrated a ‘Sisification’ of the media.

Mauritania and Tunisia were the leading Arab nations were press freedoms were concerned.