Al-Jazeera’s Egyptian bureau shut down
Egypt’s embattled government has shut down the operations of al-jazeera, an Arabic satellite broadcaster, whom they accuse of fermenting an ongoing uprising.
State run media announced the decision to revoke the broadcaster’s license and following an interview with the spiritual head of the Muslim Brotherhood, Yusuf al-Quaradawi.
Quaradawi used the platform to call on Hosni Mubarak, the Egyptian president, to leave the country, saying: “Go away, Mubarak, leave the people alone. Enough - you've ruled for 30 years already. Dozens have been killed in one day. You cannot stay."
In a statement the broadcaster said: “Al-Jazeera sees this as an act designed to stifle and repress the freedom of reporting by the network and its journalists," a statement said. "In this time of deep turmoil and unrest in Egyptian society it is imperative that voices from all sides be heard. The closing of our bureau by the Egyptian government is aimed at censoring and silencing the voices of the Egyptian people.”
Al-Jazeera prides itself on its editorial independence and is widely viewed across the Arab world where most official news sources are self censored.