Journalism on trial in Egypt

An Egyptian court has adjourned the trial of three Al Jazeera staff accused of joining, or aiding and abetting, a terrorist organisation until March 5.

Correspondent Peter Greste and producers Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed, have pleaded not guilty to the charges. 

They have been detained for almost two months. 

Egypt’s public prosecutor says the accused published lies that harmed the national interest. 

It is a case that has raised accusations of censorship against Egypt’s military installed government.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, it is one of the top ten worst countries for jailing journalists. 

Egypt is also considered the third most dangerous country for journalists to operate in, behind Iraq and Syria.

Five were killed last year, and 45 others assaulted, and security forces also raided at least 11 news outlets in 2013, including Al Jazeera’s English and Arabic bureaus.

Al Jazeera continues to demand the immediate release of its staff.

Presenter: Hazem Sika

Guests: Geoffrey Robertson, a human rights barrister

Shahira Amin, journalist and activist

Padraig Reidy, news editor at the Index on Censorship