About IFEX:

News by region:

IFEX Campaigns and Advocacy:

IFEX Email Products:

Opportunities and assistance:

Campaigns and Advocacy

ANHRI issues third guide on legal defence for bloggers and journalists

(ANHRI/IFEX) - 28 August 2010 - The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI), announced today that its Legal Aid Unit for Freedom of Expression has issued the third title in the series of simplified legal booklets. The pocket-sized booklet, which is titled "Issue 3: Publication Bans" and is part of the series on "How to Defend Yourself", was provided to journalists and bloggers.

This 48-page booklet presents a definition of the crimes related to publishing and how to mount a legal defence. It explains the meaning of publishing bans and the related legal materials in the Egyptian penal code and press, and explains the scope of bans and the cases that constitute a violation. The booklet explains to journalists how to defend themselves in case they are accused of committing a crime, to clarify who has the right to file the lawsuit, how to proceed with it and the other legal information related to it.

Prohibition of publication issues are considered very important to journalists, bloggers and writers as they form a great danger to them and press freedom in Egypt. Violating a publication ban can be punished with imprisonment from six months to five years and a fine ranging from 100 to 10,000 EGP (approx. US$17 to US$1,750).

ANHRI has already issued two booklets in the series. The first booklet is titled "Insult and Libel." The second booklet is titled "False News and Rumors." All are available at the ANHRI headquarters and can be downloaded in PDF version from the ANHRI website.


Click here to see the first booklet: "Insult and Libel" (in Arabic only)


Click here to see the second booklet: "False News and Rumours" (in Arabic only)


Click here to see the third booklet: "Publication Bans" (in Arabic only)