Journalists targeted in run-up to Egyptian elections

29 Nov 2011

When Egyptians went to the polls on Monday, several journalists and bloggers were still nursing bruises and broken limbs after the crackdown on the media in the lead up to the elections. Others remained in jail. Seems the country's current military rulers are no better than the Mubarak regime - certainly not in their treatment of the press, particularly female journalists.

Egypt's elections have had their share of uncertainty: the recent surge of protests in Tahrir square and doubts about whether the military junta is all that ready to cede power. But throughout the lead up to the first elections since Hosni Mubarak was toppled from power in February, one thing has remained a constant: the harassment and brutality directed at journalists.

On 21 November the Committee to Protect Journalists reported that at least 17 journalists had been assaulted by security forces over the preceding weekend, according to the secretary-general of the Egyptian Press syndicate. The attacks took place both in Tahrir Square in Cairo and Alexandria.

Continue reading the full story on www.dailymaverick.co.za.

About Theresa Mallinson

Theresa Mallinson has lived and worked as an itinerant writer, subeditor and sometimes teacher, plying her trade in such exotic destinations as Vaduz, Dubai, and Cape Town. But that's all changed since she became a journalist at the Daily Maverick (www.thedailymaverick.co.za) and managing editor at Free African Media. For now, she's very happy to be living in Jozi. Follow her on Twitter at @tcmallinson and contact her on theresa.mallinson@gmail.com.

Journalists Austin Mackell and Aliya Alwi on their Egyptian ordeal - 5 Mar 2012
Revolutionary storytelling: 18daysinEgypt.com - 15 Feb 2012
CPJ report: 52 journalists jailed in Africa - 12 Dec 2011
Black Tuesday II marks beginning of ongoing campaign against Secrecy Bill - 30 Nov 2011
Journalists targeted in run-up to Egyptian elections - 29 Nov 2011

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