Journalists remain hampered by lack of phone and Internet service, but Egyptians are finding their own ways to get the news in Cairo. (AP)
Journalists remain hampered by lack of phone and Internet service, but Egyptians are finding their own ways to get the news in Cairo. (AP)

Mideast stations circumvent Al-Jazeera blockage

As massive protests endure throughout Egypt, the regime continues to disrupt the media as well as phone and Internet service. CPJ is closely following the censorship of the news, and will update on our blog today as developments break. Here’s what’s new:

  • In response to the regime’s persistent attempts at censorship, at least seven Arabic-language television stations throughout the region are now carrying Al-Jazeera content on the air. They are: Al-Hiwar, Al-Jadeed, Al-Karama, Suheil, NBN, Adan, Al-Aqsa, OTV, Falastin Al-Youm, and Al-Haqiqa, Al-Jazeera reported.
  • Al-Jazeera’s broadcast on the state-owned Nilesat continues to be disrupted, according to the network. Additionally, the station’s broadcast on the Showtime Orbit Cable network has also been disrupted, freelance journalists Habib Battah, who follows regional media, told CPJ.
  • Internet services and mobile text messages services remain suspended in Egypt, according to CPJ’s sources on the ground.
  • Mobile phone service is cut off in the immediate area of Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, according to news reports