Journalists are finding it increasingly difficult to cover the situation in Egypt amid the massive clashes currently taking place on the streets of Cairo, with police officers and those who claim to be supporters of President Hosni Mubarak targeting and attacking photojournalists and television reporters, according to recent reports.
Journalists are finding it increasingly difficult to cover the situation in Egypt amid the massive clashes currently taking place on the streets of Cairo, with police officers and those who claim to be supporters of President Hosni Mubarak targeting and attacking photojournalists and television reporters, according to recent reports.
It has become nearly impossible for foreign and local journalists to take photos of the clashes in Cairo. Journalist are not even able to work in hotels, as security staff have demanded that all photo and video equipment be left in storage rooms. If anyone attempts to take photos from a balcony, security staff raid the hotel room to seize the equipment.
On Wednesday morning journalists were still able to work as normal, walking freely on the streets and taking photos. However, just one day later, a photojournalist from RIA Novosti had to use extreme caution to take any photographs.
“Everything changed dramatically right after the clashes between Mubarak supporters and opposition protesters began on Cairo’s Tahrir Square on Wednesday. It was a real attack on journalists. People tried to take away my camera twice on the side of the square where Mubarak supporters were gathering, but I managed to escape,” the RIA Novosti photojournalist said.
According to the RIA photographer, journalists believe that Mubarak supporters, even the youngest ones, are following the government’s directions to prevent visual documentation of any current events. As soon as these people spot someone with a camera, even a compact camera, they run towards the person, shouting not to take any pictures. In the best case, the journalist’s photo equipment will simply be taken away, but they may end up being physically attacked.
A number of fights are happening around the square, with the opposing sides throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails at each other.
“Photojournalists have to work from elevated positions. However, locals are reluctant to let them in their homes, fearing the violence of police officers or Mubarak supporters,” the photojournalist said.
Meanwhile, clashes on the streets continue between opposition protesters and supporters of President Hosni Mubarak.
On Friday, young demonstrators protesting Hosni Mubarak’s regime and their opponents were staging new rallies both in Cairo and other Egyptian cities.
The protesters are demanding Mubarak’s immediate resignation, and they intend to stage a symbolic funeral service for all those killed in the clashes in the past 10 days.
Their opponents, meanwhile, claim that they are calling for the restoration of stability and security in the country, which is in a state of chaos amid mass anti-government protests.
