Egyptian Stifles Press and Internet Freedom

Despite government promises for legal reforms, in Egypt, there are 35
different offenses for which journalists can be imprisoned. The
Egyptian government claims to have some of the most lenient freedom of
speech laws in the Arab world. But according to Reporters Without
Borders, at least seven journalists were arrested in 2006, and dozens
were threatened or attacked.

President Hosni Mubarak [HOS-nee moo-BAH-rahk] has also cracked down
on internet speech. Laws, which allow the government to shut down
websites they feel threaten national security have survived numerous
legal challenges. Now the poster boy for the movement for change has
become 22 year-old blogger Kareem Amer. He's been imprisoned since late
2006 for comments he made on his website.

FSRNs Andrew Stelzer has more on how the struggle for free expression
in Egypt is taking place both inside and outside the country's
borders.