CAIRO: Journalist Yehia Qallash, spokesperson of the National Committee for Defending Freedom of Speech, criticized on Wednesday the constitutional articles that permit the imprisonment of journalists for publishing stories related to discrimination and private life and urged the 50-member committee to amend in a way that safeguards media freedom.
He said that constitutionalizing the imprisonment journalists does not align with the principles of the revolution and that limiting the punishment to a fine is sufficient.
Qallash added that the constitutional articles related to journalism must be evaluated with the intention to establish a free independent journalism system. He said that those proposing amendment for such articles in the constitution tried to safeguard a media that supports the people and protects journalists’ freedom.
