Crisis in Cairo: End Violence against Media Now demands IFJ

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today called on the Egyptian regime to end all targeting of journalists on the streets of Cairo and other Egyptian cities.

"The hostage taking, beatings, and intimidation have deeply shocked the world of journalism and must be stopped immediately" said Aidan white, IFJ General Secretary. "We hold the Egyptian authorities responsible. They must act now to end the incitement and attacks".

In an urgent letter to the Egyptian Prime Minister, IFJ President Jim Boumelha said the attacks were part of "a premeditated and concerted campaign to attack and intimidate journalists and prevent them from reporting".

Today the IFJ put in place a series of emergency actions to help journalists on the spot including

1. a hotline to provide advice for journalists in trouble
Brussels +32 2 235 22 00 or after 17.00: + 32 472 587 690
Cairo: +201 277 99028 or +201 02977519
2. circulation of a safety advisory guide for journalists reporting the demonstrations and civil disorder. See below.
3. allocation of urgent funds to help the victims of violence

Meanwhile, the IFJ has also protested that state-run television has been inciting violence against foreign journalists by blaming the international media for the state of unrest in Egypt.

"This is a false and dangerous claim. The uprising of the people that threatens to engulf the regime of President Mubarak is not caused by the media" said Aidan White. "Journalists must not be made scapegoats of this crisis and the violence we see now"