The Committee to Protect Journalists has reported that at least sixty journalists have been detained or imprisoned in Egypt since last July (when President Mohamed Morsi was overthrown).
Three Al Jazeera journalists have been imprisoned along with filmmakers, bloggers, and academics.
The crime? “Broadcasting false news” and accusations of an association with the Muslim Brotherhood (which all journalists have denied).
This is not just an attack against specific individuals, but rather on freedom of speech in Egypt.
That is why we are joining with Al Jazeera’s #FreeAJStaff social media campaign to encourage Egypt to release the imprisoned journalists.
One of my boys wants to be an journalist, and he seems especially concerned. What amazes me is that he understands the risks associated with visiting various locations around the world. What is appalling to him is the idea that a government would silence him from telling the truth. Both boys wanted to make a sign and participate with the rest of Twitter. It is amazing to watch your children and find out that their passion lies in a completely unexpected place at times.
