New York, April 10, 2013–The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi’s announcement that he will withdraw legal complaints against journalists who “spread wrong information.” The announcement was posted on the presidency’s Twitter account and confirmed by Presidential spokesman Ehab Fahmy.
“This is an encouraging sign at a time when journalists have been targeted and exposed to increasing hostility,” said CPJ Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator Sherif Mansour. “President Morsi must now withdraw all complaints against journalists whom his office has accused of either insulting the President or religion.”
The move by Morsi could reverse an escalated campaign and wave of attacks against independent and critical media in recent months that included legal prosecutions, physical attacks, and violent intimidation.