- Global Voices - https://globalvoices.org -

Australian Shock and Outrage at Egyptian Sentencing of Al Jazeera Journalists

Categories: Oceania, Australia, Egypt, Breaking News, Citizen Media, Freedom of Speech, Law, Media & Journalism
Protest in support of Australian Al Jazeera Journalist Peter Greste [1]

Protesters hold signs saying ‘Free Peter’ and ‘Free AJ Staff’ at a rally in Martin Place, Sydney in support of the three Al Jazeera journalists being held in Egypt. Photo by Richard Milnes, Copyright @Demotix (2/27 2014)

Australians’ reactions to the prison sentences for three Al Jazeera English journalists in Egypt have been swift: shock and outrage. Journalists and friends in the media have led the way in calling for the release of Peter Greste and his colleagues, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed. They have been found guilty of ‘airing false reports’ that ‘defame’ Egypt.

Highly respected ABC Radio presenter Mark Colvin joined the expressions of anguish for his friend:

Within minutes the verdict appeared in six of the top Twitter trends in Australia.

Before the news came, another ABC journalist Tom Forbes tweeted this page from the New York Times:

Amnesty Australia has quickly responded to people’s desire to act:

Sydney academic Simon Chapman also has ideas about action:

Retweets have been the order of the day with Sally Sara's call a popular one:

Alister Greste, Peter's nephew, has spoken for the family and for many Australians: