Al Jazeera Network demands immediate release of journalists

Distributed by the www.ArabAmericanNewsWire.com

Al Jazeera Network demands immediate release of journalists

Three Al Jazeera journalists have been detained by security forces in Egypt. One more is reported missing.

A spokesman for the Network said:

“All three of our staff should be immediately released. We are concerned for their safety and welfare.  We are taking every measure as a priority to obtain their release.”

Al Jazeera also had six journalists detained by Egyptian authorities in the past week, with equipment stolen and destroyed. It has also faced unprecedented levels interference in its broadcast signal across the Arab world.

Al Jazeera’s coverage of the Egyptian uprisings has won plaudits from around the world, with its journalists reporting from the heart of the events.

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Unprecedented Interference in Al Jazeera’s Broadcast Signal Across the Arab World

Distributed by the www.ArabAmericanNewsWire.com

Unprecedented Interference in Al Jazeera’s Broadcast

Signal Across the Arab World

Doha, Qatar, 1 February 2011 - Al Jazeera has stated that their broadcast signal across the Arab region is facing interference on a scale they have not experienced before.

Signals on the Nilesat platform were cut, and frequencies on the Arabsat and Hotbird platforms were disrupted continually forcing millions of viewers across the Arab world to change satellite frequencies throughout the day.

Al Jazeera has been widely praised for their coverage from Egypt and Tunisia despite obstacles put in their path by those governments. Not only have their images and reporting been enthusiastically received by people in the Middle East, but there has been a massive surge in interest in Al Jazeera’s coverage from across the world.

Over the past week the Network has faced multiple attempts to disrupt their coverage from Egypt, with signals being interfered with on a continual basis, and journalists being banned and detained.  The latest disruption has come on the day of the historic ‘million man march’ in Cairo.

A spokesman for Al Jazeera said:

“We have been working round the clock to make sure we are broadcasting on alternative frequencies. Clearly there are powers that do not want our important images pushing for democracy and reform to be seen by the public.

“We appreciate the extraordinary support from the ten channels across the region who interrupted their own programming to live-broadcast our signal to their audiences.”

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 About Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera started out more than fourteen years ago as the first independent Arabic news channel in the world dedicated to providing comprehensive television news and live debate for the Arab world. Al Jazeera was formally named the Al Jazeera Network in March 2006, transforming its operation into an international media corporation.  The Al Jazeera Network now consists of the flagship Al Jazeera Satellite (Arabic) channel, Al Jazeera English, Al Jazeera Documentary, Al Jazeera Sport, Al Jazeera.net (the English and Arabic web sites), the Al Jazeera Media Training and Development Center, the Al Jazeera Center for Studies, Al Jazeera Mubasher (Live), and Al Jazeera Mobile.

For any press queries please send an e-mail to imr@aljazeera.net

ADC Demands the Upholding of Human Rights for Egyptians

Distributed by the www.ArabAmericanNewsWire.com

ADC Demands the Upholding of Human Rights for Egyptians

Washington, DC | www.adc.org | January 31, 2011 - The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) demands that the Egyptian government upholds the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and restores all means of communication and the free flow of information. Internet service, as well as other communication services, were disconnected shortly after protests began in Egypt on January 25th. The actions taken by Egyptian authorities in the past week against activists violates basic universal human rights and must not be tolerated.

As activists continue to make their voices heard in Egypt, ADC reiterates support for the basic human rights of the Egyptian people to organize, voice their dissent, and peacefully gather to project their political will. ADC condemns the use of violence against those exercising their rights, or by any participant, and encourages all those involved to exercise restraint.

ADC believes that appropriate steps must be taken to ensure that a fair democratic system will be implemented, which respects the free will and human rights of all Egyptians. ADC urges all participants to ensure that the transition to a new government is a peaceful one.

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