Church and repression of media in Egypt

The MidEast News Source reports about repression of the media in Egypt. With the coming demise of president Mubarak and the appointment of his son as the new king, sorry, president, it seems the authorities try to be ready for total media control.

The Church in Egypt should dare to speak out against these repressive measures, but it will probably not do so; usually the Church is quit satisfied when radical Islam is suppressed.
Eleven media executives have been arrested in Egypt on charges of belonging to an Islamic organization affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood, according to the newspaper The Daily News Egypt.

Not only these radical Muslims but also the totally secular Cairo Media Company (CMC) is the victim of the government. It was today fined $27,000 by a local court for breach of media-related permits and possessing equipment without permits. The CMC made headlines earlier this year for distributing footage of demonstrators tearing up and stamping on posters of Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak.

CMC owner Nader Gohar told Al-Jazeera that the verdict meant that he probably would be out of business within six months to a year and that five or six other media companies in Cairo were heading the same way.

The Church should be wise and show its protest against these abuses of the freedom of speech.

Mubarak proves to be a dictator

Interesting news from our brothers in Egypt... Mubarak, its president, has pardoned an outspoken newspaper editor sentenced to jail earlier this month for publishing false information about Mr. Mubarak's health. An Egyptian appeals court last month ruled that Ibrahim Eissa should spend two months in prison, prompting sharp criticism from press freedom groups and pro-democracy activists.

Eissa is editor-in-chief of the independent "Al-Dustour" daily newspaper. He was prosecuted for publishing stories last year saying President Mubarak, now 80 years old, was in poor health. A lower court originally sentenced him to six months with labor. Eissa has been facing a number of other court cases over the past year stemming from his reports critical of Egyptian leaders.

By overturning the ridiculous decision of the court, Mubarak shows the almighty power that he has. He is above the law, like all Arab rulers we live under. Thereby proving the point of Mr Eissa. Thanks to VOA for this story.

Things do not go better in Egypt

Ethan Cole reports for the Christian Post The divide between Egypt’s Coptic Christian community and the Muslim majority is growing bigger as an increasing number of Christians are cutting ties with Muslim neighbors and turning to the Church for all their social needs.

Many Christians in Egypt are now sending their children to schools run by the Church, letting their children play on all-Christian soccer teams, and moving to all-Christian neighborhoods. The trend is in part a reaction to increased persecution by Muslim extremist groups that have grown in Egypt in recent years.

“When we all go together as Christians on those things (vacations to holy sites), we feel like we’re one,” said Ayad Labid Faleh, a Coptic Christian living in a Christian neighborhood in Cairo, to The Washington Post. “We’re secure, and we’re able to relax,” he said.